Parents to receive guidance in choosing car seats

If you have ever had to buy a child safety seat, you know how frustrating it can be to choose one.

Help is on the way, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced last week. It plans to create a new program to help parents and caregivers find a seat that fits in their vehicle.

It's the result of a review ordered by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, according to a news release. He also wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a new side impact safety standard for car seats. Side impact crashes account for one-third of all highway deaths among children under 13 years old.

As a part of the new program, car manufacturers will recommend specific seats in various price ranges that fit for individual vehicles. Some manufacturers, such as Nissan and others in Europe, already provide similar recommendations, the news release states.

Unfortunately, the program will not be instituted until the 2011 models come out next year.

Have you had to buy a car seat lately? Do you find it confusing? How did you end up picking one?