Seatbelts and Child Car Seats

Remember, seatbelt laws are primary laws, so you can be stopped and cited solely for not wearing your seatbelt. Be aware of something else that’s important as well. As of September 2019, all passengers in a vehicle must be buckled up, not just front seat passengers. You face a fine of $25 and points assessed against your driver’s record if you are cited. In a few instances, you may be exempt from buckling up. Having a legal exemption does not make you safer, though! You may have a doctor’s note that indicates wearing a seatbelt would be harmful to your health. Carry the note with you. Postal carriers and newspaper delivery drivers are also exempt from the law while performing their duties. If you operate a vehicle manufactured before 1965, your vehicle is probably not equipped with seatbelts. You are also exempt. 

Children do not have the mental capacity to realize they should buckle up.
YOU must make that decision for them!

There is a strict set of height, age, and weight guidelines to consider when it comes to securing children in your vehicle. Please be aware of all of them. 

As the driver, you are responsible for the safety of
children in any vehicle you operate:

• Any child seat or booster you use must meet specific safety standards. This approval is typically shown on the packaging of the product. 
• Read and fully understand installation instructions. Even if the child is secure in the car seat, the seat is no good if it is not secure within the vehicle. 
• Infants from birth to age one, weighing up to 20 pounds, must be secured in a rear seat in the vehicle and facing the rear. Use a car seat specifically designed for infants or one that is for both infants and toddlers.
• Until a child reaches age 5 or 40 pounds, they should be secured in a convertible car seat, facing forward but in the rear seat of a vehicle. 
• From there, a child can use a booster seat until the age of 6. Be aware of this, though: many children will continue to use booster seats up to age 8 because of the weight restrictions. 
• After age 6, regular seatbelt use is appropriate unless the child has a very slight build. Remember, if at all possible, children under age 12 should not ride up front because of airbag systems. 
• You, the driver, are responsible for unrestrained children. The first offense will cost you $25 and 1 point against your record. Second and subsequent offenses are $25 and 2 points. Regardless of the fines, are you willing to place your young passengers in danger? Good defensive drivers always give a resounding, “NO!”
• Children who are passengers in taxis or school buses plus larger vans are not covered under this law.