What is the key requirement for child passengers in a vehicle?

• A. Children can ride in the front without restraint
• B. Restraints are optional for kids
• C. Only adults should be restrained
• D. Use age- and size-appropriate child restraints and buckle all occupants

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that child passengers must be protected with age- and size-appropriate restraints and that every occupant should be buckled up. Proper restraints match the child’s size and age: infants ride in rear-facing car seats, toddlers in forward-facing seats with a harness, and older children use booster seats until a seat belt fits correctly across the chest and lap. Buckling everyone in ensures the restraints can do their job to keep occupants in place, reduce movement, and lower the risk of severe injury in a crash.

Other statements conflict with safety basics: letting children ride unrestrained is dangerous and often illegal, restraints aren’t optional, and implying only adults should be restrained ignores the protection that a proper child restraint provides.