Recently, there has been an increasing number of car accidents and fatalities involving young children. This has led to a push from lawmakers and public health officials to make car seats more accessible for all parents. As of July 1, 2018, all new cars sold in the U.S. must come with a child safety seat that is rear-facing until at least age 2.
This is a change from the current requirement that children under age 2 remain seated in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 4 years old. If you are unclear about which car seat fits your child best or if you have a new car and don’t know which car seat to buy, do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Car Seat Safe. We will be happy to help you find the right car seat for your family.
What is the New Car Seat Law?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has new car seat laws in effect for all passenger vehicles manufactured after August 1, 2008. This is a summary of the new car seat requirements:
-All children ages 4 and younger must be in a rear-facing car seat or booster seat until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat, depending on their age.
-Children ages 7 to 8 years old must be in an appropriate rear-facing car seat with a lap belt until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat, depending on their age.
-Children ages 9 to 12 years old must be in an appropriate rear-facing car seat with a lap belt or an approved child restraint system until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat, depending on their age. An approved child restraint system includes a child safety belt and either a tether strap or a vehicle lower anchor system.
-Children ages 13 to 16 years old must be in an appropriate rear-facing car seat with either a lap belt or an approved child restraint system until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat, depending on their age. An approved child restraint system includes a child safety belt and either a tether strap or a vehicle lower anchor system.
What are the Requirements?
The new car seat law requires children to be properly restrained in a child safety seat until they are at least 8 years old and 4’9″ tall. This law is effective starting January 1, 2020. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created a website to help parents comply with the new car seat law. The website includes information on how to find a safe car seat and how to properly install a child safety seat.
To check if your child is age appropriate for a booster seat, first look for the “Best practices for ages 0-8” label on the vehicle seat base or headrest. If your child is between 0 and 2 years old and weighs less than 20 pounds, he or she should use an infant carseat or convertible safety seat equipped with a harness system unless the manufacturer offers a lower weight limit.
If your child is 2 years old or older but less than 4 years old and weighs less than 40 pounds, he or she should use an appropriate convertiblecarseat without a harness system or use an approved belt-positioning booster seat that fits in the second row of seating and is proper fitted using the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you are unsure if your child qualifies for one of these seats, contact the manufacturer of your vehicle’s safetyseat. Children who are taller than 4’9″ should not ride in the front passenger seat of any type of vehicle.
Who is Affected by The New Car Seat Law?
The new car seat law refers to a set of safety regulations that went into effect in March of 2017. This law requires all children aged 0-8 years old to use a child safety seat or booster seat when travelling in a vehicle. Children aged 9-40 months are also required to use a child safety seat or booster seat until they reach the weight and height limit for their specific car seat. Additionally, the law requires drivers to keep children properly restrained in child safety seats or booster seats during travel. Failure to comply with this law can result in fines and/or jail time.
The new car seat law is designed to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries caused by car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2004-2014, there was a 50% increase in deaths associated with car accidents involving children younger than age 15 years old. The new car seat law is hoped to help reduce these deaths by increasing the prevalence of use of child safety seats and boosters.
The new car seat law is not without its detractors, however. Some argue that it is unnecessary and overly burdensome; others contend that it is not effective at reducing fatalities or injuries from car accidents involving children.
What To Do If You Cannot Comply With The New Car Seat Law
If you are unable to comply with the new car seat law, there are a few things that you can do. First, make sure that your car is safe and fit for a child using a booster seat. Second, find an experienced safety technician who can inspect your car and help you install the safest car seats possible. Finally, get in touch with your state’s child injury prevention agency to discuss what steps you can take to ensure the safety of your children.
Conclusion
As parents, we are always on the lookout for new safety guidelines to follow. The latest car seat law is no exception, and it has some pretty hefty fines if you don’t comply. If you’re planning on buying a new carseat or upgrading your old one, be sure to read up on the specifics of this new law so that you’re not caught off guard when it comes time to take your child safety seat installation test.