Delaware Driver Education State Practice Test

In Delaware, what is required for a child to be safely restrained in a vehicle?

1. Seat belt only

2. Car seat appropriate for their age and weight

3. None are required

4. Booster seat only

The correct answer is: Car seat appropriate for their age and weight

In Delaware, it is essential for children to be safely restrained in a vehicle using a car seat that is appropriate for their age and weight. This requirement is grounded in safety regulations designed to minimize the risk of injury during a crash. Children are at greater risk of harm in a vehicle due to their smaller size and developing bodies, making proper restraint critical for their protection. A car seat ensures that children are securely held in place and, depending on their developmental stage, this may include using rear-facing seats for infants, forward-facing seats for toddlers, and booster seats for older children who have outgrown their earlier seats but are still too small for an adult seat belt alone. This structured approach to child safety seats is backed by data showing that properly restrained children experience significantly fewer injuries in accidents. In contrast, relying on a seat belt alone or only using a booster seat does not fully accommodate the safety needs of younger children. Each type of seat is designed with specific age and weight parameters to maximize the protective capabilities in the event of a collision, making the correct choice of car seat vital for ensuring child safety on the road.