Which age group requires a backward-facing safety seat?

The requirement for a backward-facing safety seat is primarily meant to provide enhanced protection for young children whose bodies are still developing. Specifically, children aged 0-3 years, particularly those under 40 pounds, are at an increased risk of injury in a crash if they are not properly secured in a backward-facing seat. This position supports the child's head, neck, and spine, aligning them in a way that minimizes the forces experienced during a collision.

Research indicates that during the first several years of life, children's skeletal structures are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to injury. Hence, the guidelines recommend keeping children in a backward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit set by the seat manufacturer, which typically applies to younger children up to around 3 years of age or until they exceed 40 lbs, whichever comes first.

Choosing this age range reflects the best practices for ensuring child passenger safety as they develop.