It’s nice to see state legislatures like California’s catching up to the research and helping nudge parents to keep their children as safe as possible in the car. All children under the age of 2 must be in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system unless that child is at least 40 inches tall or weighs 40 pounds. We have known for a long time that rear facing is safer than forward facing for every person, and especially for infants up until at least age 2.
Science shows us that it is anatomical development (which comes with age), not the height or weight, that makes a young child less at risk for catastrophic neck injuries in a crash when forward facing. Children must remain in a rear facing car seat until they weigh 40 pounds or more or are at least 40 inches tall. To clarify, the 40 pound/inch caveat should not be used to imply that rear facing is somehow less important for a 40 pound or 40 inch 18-month toddler, because it’s not. According to California State Law, Children must be seated in the rear seat of a vehicle in an appropriate car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9 tall. The law is written so that families of children who are very tall and/or heavy do not have to buy an expensive extended rear facing seat to make it to age 2. In short, it’s not worth it, especially when you consider that ignoring this law puts your child at risk of death or significant injury. Violating these laws carries a fine that can exceed $500 for each improperly restrained child, as well as having points added to the driver’s license. requirements below : As a minimum, forward facing seating systems must distribute restraint forces on both the pelvic and chest areas of the child. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.” “Effective January 1, 2017, children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. All booster seats must face forwards and be installed in a rear seat, where available, or according to the child restraint or motor vehicle safety instructions. Forward facing child restraint systems for infants and children weighing between 9 and 18 kgs (20lbs and 40lbs).
California law states (Sections 27360 27360.5 27360.6 27363) : Tennessee law mandates the use of booster seats to secure children who are: aged four (4) to eight (8) AND. All children 8 years or older or 4’9″ or taller may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits them properly.īut the newest component replaces the previous 1 year and 20 pounds rear facing minimum requirement. All children under age 8 must be buckled into a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle.Ģ. Several existing laws remain in place, including:ġ. On the first day of 2017, California will join a small group of states that require children to remain rear facing until age 2 (with a few specific caveats). Arkansas laws require that children ages 6 and under, and weighing less than 60 pounds, be properly secured in a federally approved car seat or booster seat. There are a number of reasons why we love living in California and starting January 1st, there’s one more reason to add to the list.
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