Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for children and adolescents ages 1 to 21. In April 2011, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its policy on car seat safety. Children should now be kept in a rear-facing car seat until they are 2 years of age, or until they reach the maximum height or weight of their car seat. Children less than 2 are 75% safer in a rear-facing car seat.
A summary of these recommendations can be found at SEBPMG Car Safety Tips. Further details on the recommendation can be obtained from the AAP website: Car Safety Seats and Transportation Safety which has information on topics ranging from car safety seats to school buses to teen driving