Children younger than 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat while riding in a passenger automobile, van or pickup.
Effective July 1:
The car seat or booster seat must be:
– in the rear seat
– appropriate to the child’s weight and height
– meet federal standards
– be installed correctly
Exemptions:
– children 8 or younger who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall
– the child has a written statement from a physician saying he is unable to be restrained
Exceptions:
Children younger than 8 who weigh at least 40 pounds are not exempt from the law. They may use a lap belt instead of a car seat under these circumstances:
– the vehicle isn’t equipped with lap and shoulder belts
– if all seating positions are being used to restrain other children
Other laws governing child safety in vehicles:
– At a minimum, children should stay in rear-facing seats until age 1 and at least 20 pounds. (Although the new recommended age is 2yrs)
– When children outgrow rear-facing seats, they should ride in a forward-facing seat until they reach the height and weight limit of the seat, usually age 4 and 40 pounds.
– Children then enter a booster seat and follow new guidelines. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays on the upper thigh and the shoulder belt across the chest.
– Law enforcement recommends that a child ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
Source: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2011-06-30/booster-seat-law-goes-effect-friday?v=1309395623
Thank you for sharing this very important info!
My daughter is almost 2 years old, and still rear facing, which I plan to continue for as long as possible.