During a collision, an unrestrained child will get flung about and definitely get injured. More dangerous is the possibility of being thrown out of the vehicle as well (Image taken during EuroNCAP test)

"People are just full of reasons for not belting back seat passengers," she added. "School's just three minutes away; we're just going to the grocery store or just over to friend's house. We're full of excuses but, in the end, if we don't belt our children - or any rear seat occupant - we're setting them up for injuries or death. 'Sorry' doesn't go very far then."

"Unless one studies physics, the numbers seem unreal. But they are very real," Skogsmo added. "In the rapid deceleration that occurs at the moment of impact, a child's "crash weight" increases dramatically. For instance, at 48 km/h, an unbelted child will be hurled forward with a force that multiplies the impact approximately 45 times above normal, depending on the object collided with. At 67 km/h, those numbers rise to 75 to 150 times normal. So, in effect, the crash weight of a 27-kg child at 67 km/h can range from 2,000 to 4,000 kgs! That's an astounding two to four tons, or about the weight of an elephant. A crushing force indeed."

A car's seatbelt keeps doing its job of helping to retain the occupant within the safety structure of the cabin after the initial impact has occurred. Accidents might involve secondary impacts and rollovers. It is the seatbelts that help keep the rear-seated occupants strapped safely inside the vehicle until the energy of the accident has dissipated.

"During a rollover, the effect is very much like clothes in a washing machine during the spin cycle. There are huge forces that can easily eject occupants who are not using a seatbelt," Skogsmo said.

Volvo pioneered the in-car use of 3-point front seatbelt system as far back as 1959. Rear-seat outboard 3-point belts became standard in Volvo cars in 1967 - 23 years before they were required by U.S. law. Today, all Volvos are equipped with 3-point seat belts at all seating positions. Even the V70 and Cross Country wagons, when fitted with the optional rear-facing third row seat, include 3-point belts.

Small children who have outgrown their toddler seat should use a booster cushion to help properly position the 3-point seat belt. Volvo offers the integrated child booster cushion for children 18-40 kgs who need to be comfortable and properly restrained. There are two styles: one that can be moved from car to car, and another that is built into the seat cushion. The car's rear seat bottom opens up, its lower half then forming a booster seat cushion. This cushion is high enough to correctly position the lap portion of the seatbelt low across a child's hips and, together with the vehicle's adjustable center head restraint, forms a comfortable and safe seat for the child.

Don't let your child turn into an elephant. Keep him or her strapped at all times when driving

So do your part for motoring safety. Help protect that most precious cargo of all: buckle them up. You don’t need an elephant in the back seat.

• Read more about why Volvo is a leader in automobile safety