Car Safety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2003, 1,591 child occupants ages 14 and under died in motor vehicle crashes. More than half of motor vehicle occupants ages 14 and under who were killed in fatal crashes were unrestrained. Approximately 220,000 children were injured as occupants in motor vehicle-related crashes.
Child safety seats, when correctly installed and used, reduce the risk of death by more than 50%. However, recent studies show that more than 85% of all child safety seats are installed improperly. 

CHILD RESTRAINT LAW: (effective July 1, 2007) Child passengers must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they weigh forty pounds. Infants must ride rear-facing until they reach both one year of age AND twenty pounds.
 
BOOSTER SEAT LAW:  (effective July 1, 2007) Children over forty pounds must use boosters to 4'9" tall unless they have reached age eight.
 
NATIONAL "BEST PRACTICE" RECOMMENDATIONS:  USDOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends children aged twelve and under should ride in the backseat.  Research indicates that such positioning reduces the risk of crash injury by 37% for that age group.

PICK-UP TRUCK LAW: (effective November 2002): Children under 18 years of age are prohibited from riding in the open bed of a pick-up truck.

The best time to purchase a car seat is before your baby is born so you can learn how to install and use it properly. There are many different types of car seats on the market for children of different ages. For example, infant car seats (for babies weighing up to 20 pounds) are designed so that newborns face the back of the car. Review our Car Seat Safety Chart for specific guidelines for different ages and weights.

Since a car seat can protect your child only if it’s used properly, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Also, remember these suggestions:

• If your car seat is used, be sure it meets current safety requirements outlined by NHTSA. To obtain a copy of these requirements, visit the NHTSA Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or call 1-888-327-4236.
• Make sure the car seat is secure. It should not move more than 1 inch in any direction. To secure the seat, kneel inside it while you strap it into the car and use a tether strap to secure the child’s car seat to the vehicle seat.
• Make sure harness straps are in the correct slots. They should be tight enough that an adult can fit only one finger under the strap by your baby’s collarbone.
• Use the harness clip, and use it correctly. The top of the clip should be level with the child’s armpits.
• Babies must ride facing backwards until they reach their first birthday and weigh 20 pounds.
• Don’t use a car seat after it’s been in an accident. Buy or borrow a new one.
• Never hold your baby in your arms as a substitute for a car seat.
• Never use a lightweight plastic baby lounger or baby carrier as a substitute for a car seat.

If you’re unsure about the safety of your car seat, have it inspected by a trained professional. Car seat safety inspections are held across the region by trained inspectors throughout the year.

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