Question: I heard some talk about new car seat laws and how kids are to be seat belted. Can you explain it in depth please?
Answer: Yes, I can and as a matter of fact it is National Child Passenger Safety Week. Here is some information that we shared on our Minnesota Department of Public Safety blog:
Figuring out the best way to keep kids safe in your vehicle can be complicated. The Minnesota Legislature has updated the Child Passenger Safety Law offering new guidance on child seats, booster seats and seat belts, adding increased safety measures to protect children. The law, which went into effect Aug. 1, may change how children ride in your vehicle.
Crashes are a leading cause of injury and death among children. Proper car seat use helps protect and minimize injuries to our youngest passengers. That’s why our Office of Traffic Safety, along with the Minnesota Safety Council, are working to make sure you’re ready for the new rules, which mirror the American Academy of Pediatrics child seat recommendations.
“We all want our children to be as safe as possible while we’re driving, and that means making sure they are in the proper child restraint,” stated OTS Director Mike Hanson in a press release. “The new law lays out best practices and will help parents make the best decision to protect their child.”
Prior to the changes, state law required car seats to be used according to manufacturer’s instructions on height and weight. Now, instead of just relying on the child’s size, the law specifies ages for rear- and forward-facing car seats, booster seats and seat belts (subject to weight and height depending on the child seat manufacturer). In addition, the booster seat requirement has been increased from 8 to 9 years old.
The age guidelines, which you can find here, include:
Newborns to 2-year-olds riding in vehicles must be rear-facing in an infant or convertible child safety seat.
Children at least 2 years old who have outgrown a rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight must be forward facing with an internal harness when they are riding in a vehicle.
A child who is 4 years old and who’s outgrown a forward-facing seat with internal harness must ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat and must use a lap belt and a shoulder belt.
Children who are 9 years old or children who have outgrown a booster seat may ride restrained with a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat. These children must pass a five-step test that demonstrates how the seat belt they are wearing fits correctly:
If a child falls into more than one category, then the child must be placed in the safer restraint for them. For example, a child who is 2½ years old and weighs 35 pounds — but has a car seat with a rear-facing limit of 40 pounds — must stay rear-facing even though they are over age 2.
It’s very important for parents and caregivers to always read their car seat and vehicle owners’ manuals for proper installation.
Additionally, children younger than 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.
Any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trooper Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, 2900 48th St., NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848; or send an email to: Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.