Until what age must children use rear-facing safety seats?

The correct choice indicates that children must use rear-facing safety seats until they are at least 1 year old. This guideline is based on safety recommendations from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, which emphasize that rear-facing seats provide better support for a child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. Rear-facing seats are designed to protect young children's vulnerable bodies during frontal collisions, which are the most common type of car accidents.

Using a rear-facing seat until the age of 1 enables a child to benefit from the increased protection these seats offer during their early developmental stages. However, the recommendation actually extends beyond this, as many experts advise keeping children in rear-facing seats until they reach the maximum height or weight limit set by the car seat manufacturer, often around 2 years old. Regardless, the minimum safety requirement is indeed up to 1 year of age.

The other options suggest either an earlier or a later age for transitioning out of rear-facing seats, which does not align with the established safety guidelines.