When driving, you have to make sure you're following all safety guidelines to keep yourself and everyone else safe, especially if you are driving around other passengers. If the other passengers are children, the law has specific safety guidelines for you to follow.
These guidelines refer to the car seats and booster seats a child must sit in before being able to ride along with just a seat belt.
A rear-facing car seat is what all children should start off in, from birth up until the
age of 2-4 years old. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer.
A forward-facing car seat is the next type of car seat after the child has grown out of a rear-
facing car seat. The child should stay in a forward-facing car seat at least to the age of 5. Many of these seats can accommodate children up to 65 lbs.
Once the child reaches the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer for the forward-facing car seat, it's time for a booster seat. Children can ride in booster seats up until the age of 12. Use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly.
Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit
properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). At that point of time the child can ride with just the seat belt alone.
Remember, children under 13 must ride in the backseat. Drive safe, buckle up, and have the children sit in the appropriate seat.
If you, or someone you know have been involved in an auto accident, call Your Accident Your Money at (888) 766-6398