Wayne State University has conducted a study on the rate of car seat and booster seat usage in Michigan.

The results of the study are disappointing.

Michigan.gov reports on the findings of the study:

For children from birth to 3 years old, 93.6 percent were in car seats, down from 95 percent in 2011. Booster seat use is at 42.4 percent for 4- to 7-year-olds, down from 43.9 percent two years ago.

The study also looked at misuse rates. The most common misuse for rear-facing seats was the seat not being reclined at the proper angle. The most common booster seat misuse was the shoulder belt not being properly positioned over the shoulder and chest of the child.

Car seats and boosters keep kids safe. It's also the law.

Michigan.gov reminds us:

Michigan law requires drivers and passengers 15 years old and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

It's hard to know why usage rates are decreasing. Is it lack of knowledge about the safety a properly installed seat provides? Or is it just laziness?

Hopefully spreading the word about car seat safety will help get rates going in the right direction.

Follow Matt Milhouse on Facebook and Twitter.  Listen to 100.5 The River weekdays, 10am – 3pm.

More From 100.5 FM The River