Child Seat Laws May Vary

With many people traveling by car with their families this summer, it is very important to remember that when you are crossing state lines, many laws change as they pertain to driving, especially those surrounding car seat laws. Michigan for instance just passed a law requiring children up to age 8 to be restrained in a booster seat, whereas neighboring Ohio does not have the same law.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in March signed a new law, which took effect July 1, requiring most children up to the age of 8 to be in a safety seat while riding in a vehicle. Whether its a high-back or no-back booster, one of the two forms of the child safety seat must be used for children who have outgrown their infant or convertible seats, but are not yet 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall (which ever comes first).

"Adult-sized safety belts do not fit children properly," Readett said, which is one of the main reasons why Michigan decided to join about 40 other states with a similar law.

In Ohio, children up to 4 years old and 40 pounds must be securely fastened in a child safety seat while riding in a vehicle.

 

If you are going to be traveling with small children in the car, be sure to research the specific laws of the states you are going to to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

 

Child Restraint Clinics

All across the country, law enforcement agencies are staging clinics to teach proper child restraint seat installment. New Mexico Department of Transportation are hosting one of their own all across the state.

At child safety seat clinics, parents and caregivers have access to personal instruction from certified child passenger safety technicians on the proper selection and use of their car seats and booster seats. Additionally, child safety seats that have been recalled or are otherwise unsafe may be replaced at no cost to the parent or caregiver. Clinics are open to the public and no appointment is required.

Even if you don’t live in the area of one of these New Mexico clinics, check with your local authorities to see if one is being hosted in your area. Stats show that the vast majority of child safety seats are improperly installed, so these clinics offer you a great way to make sure your child is as safe as possible.