At the beginning of August, a new state law went into effect requiring car seats for all children younger than 8 years old. But, according to a Colorado Springs mother, the type of car seat also matters.

Lydia Carter lost her 4-year-old daughter several years ago in a tragic car accident.

It happened back in 2005 on New Year's Eve. Carter was driving back to Colorado Springs from New Mexico on I-25, when she lost control of her car and rolled several times.

"The ambulance comes and everything like that, and it was about half an hour later and the paramedic told me, we're sorry she didn't make it," said Carter.

Carter says Sophia was buckled into a back-less booster seat, but when the car rolled, Sophia slid out.

"She died of head trauma," said Carter.

Now, Carter is on a mission to convince parents to stop using booster seats, and opt for the five-point harness car seat.

"That really holds that child in," said Maile Gray, the Executive Director of Drive Smart Colorado.

Gray does encourage parents to use a five-point harness car seat as long as possible.

"It keeps the child back up against the seat, keeps their hips where they're suppose to be and really hugs them to the car seat," said Gray.

But she points out that all car seats, including booster seats, are required to meet federal safety standards.

"Properly used child safety restraints save lives everyday," said Gray.

Unfortunately, even when a car seat is used, tragedy can still happen.

"She really did care about others," said Carter. "I miss her."

The people at Drive Smart Colorado tell 11 News that car seat technology has come a long way in the last five years, and is always improving. For that reason, they recommend parents only use a car seat for about six or seven years.