Child safety tends to be a top priority for parents, but many may not know the best ways to protect their young ones when it comes to riding in cars. The laws for child passenger safety vary slightly from state to state, but youngsters need to ride in safety seats until they reach a certain size. Seat belts in cars are designed to protect adult-sized individuals, not children, which is why it is important for parents to ensure their kids are properly restrained.

A major problem with child safety in vehicles is simply a lack of awareness, and a recent study published in Pediatric Emergency Care found that less than half of the physicians who responded to the study believed parents of children under 2 would be provided with information about car safety after being treated for car crash-related injuries.

"Unfortunately, our research showed that many emergency physicians are not aware of community resources for child passenger safety," said lead author of the study Dr. Michelle Macy of the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. "We know the visit to the emergency department is a crucial opportunity to prevent future injuries. Families are frequently discharged following a car crash without referrals to local resources where parents can obtain additional information about child safety seats."

Not only is it important for kids to use car seats and booster seats, but they must use these safety devices properly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that revealed 72 percent of almost 3,500 car and booster seats were misused in such a way that they could cause injury to the child during a crash.

In addition to educating themselves on proper car seat usage, parents should also be sure to buy vehicles that offer the highest safety value. There are plenty of options to choose from for families looking to purchase used cars at New Jersey State Auto Auction.