Forward-facing Safety
Forward-facing harnessed seats provide a good level of protection for kids who have outgrown rear-facing. A 5-point harness secures a child in five places: both shoulders, both hips and the crotch. The average convertible car seat has a maximum weight limit of 40 lbs. Many children outgrow this weight limit before an age where they are mature enough for a belt positioning booster. Fortunately, there are many forward-facing seats in all price ranges now with harnesses that go to a higher weight limit. It's important not to move a child to a 3-point lap/shoulder vehicle belt too early: an immature child will not sit in a seat belt properly and may be seriously injured in a crash. He's also a distraction to the driver. Let a kid be a kid and leave him in a harness.