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New Car Seat Laws!

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There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

As of January 1, 2015 the State of Florida finally stepped up and tightened their car seat laws. For years Florida had the loosest car seat laws in the nation, but thankfully we are getting on track with the rest of the country. So what does that mean for you and your precious cargo?! Most families tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to car seats and seatbelt safety, so these changes may not even affect you. However is a very important topic and knowing the facts can dramatically change the outcome of an automobile accident.

New Car Seat Laws! Are you affected?

Prior to January 1, 2015: Children through age 3 had to ride in a car seat or booster seat! – that was IT!
New laws – THANK GOD – for the safety of our children: Drivers are required to use a child restraint seat for children until the age of 6 years old. Even increasing the age to 6 years old does not seem like enough to protect our little backseat drivers.

So there is THE LAW and then there are THE GUIDELINES! (These two issues cause head scratching and heated conversations among parents as they try to determine how to properly and safely buckle their children in the car.) Personally – I chose to follow the more conservative guidelines, knowing that they are within the limits of the law – and then some.

CURRENT GUIDELINES (which are recommendations by AAA, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration):

  • Rear-facing seat: The recommendations have changed in recent years on this one, and unfortunately not everyone seems to be aware of the increased age. Babies should ride rear-facing until age 2, OR when they reach the limits of their car seats height OR weight limit, which is generally around 35lbs. (Previous guidelines were a year and 20lbs up until just a few years ago.)
  • Forward-facing harness seat: Each federally approved child restraint harness seat has its own limits for height and weight. Children should be forward-facing in their seat until they reach the upper limits of the manufacturer’s recommendations for height OR weight. Most harness seats go up to 40-65lbs.
  • Belt-positioning booster seat: Children who have outgrown their harness seat should be in a booster seat until they are taller than 4’9”, which is on average around 8-12 years old. Studies show that using a booster seat with a seatbelt vs. just a seatbelt reduces the risk of injury by 45%.
  • Back seat: ALL children under 13 years of age should sit in the back seat.
  • Lap & shoulder belts: The lap belt should lie flat across the hips and not up over the child’s stomach. The shoulder belt goes across the center of the shoulder and chest, without cutting across the neck. The child’s legs should bend at the edge of the seat. The lap and shoulder belts should fit the same way if the smaller child is in a booster seat.

As you can see, the law is broad and not very specific with regard to which seat and what age. However, the guidelines are what will protect your child. When in doubt, take your time switching your child down to the next seat. There is no harm done in having your child be safer for a longer period of time.

Do you let your children drive with other families? If so, do you inspect their car seats, or do you trust the families?

Mama in the Now Signature

Filed Under: Kid (6-9 years), Toddler (2-5 years), Tween (10-12 years) Tagged With: Baby, Kids, safety, Toddlerhood

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    January 9, 2015 at 8:47 AM

    Thank you for sharing!!!

  2. Amber Ludwig says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    It worries me how many people don’t know about these car seat recommmendations already!! You should keep your child rear facing for as long as possible! It greatly reduces injury in an accident! Yet I see so many people who dont 🙁

    • Mama in the Now says

      January 9, 2015 at 12:46 PM

      I completely agree! 1 year and 20lbs is just still so little and flimsy to be forward facing.

  3. gynjii says

    January 9, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    I heard about this law being changed right after we moved out of Florida… about frikkin’ time! I am BIG fan of tighter car seat laws… with the facts and studied regarding car seat safety, it’s a no brainer in my opinion. Thanks for sharing this valuable information! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

  4. lindamanns says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:42 AM

    Thank you for sharing this. I needed to know this for my grandkids.

  5. Molli Vandehey says

    January 11, 2015 at 5:05 PM

    i am not in florida, but this is a good reminder to keep up to date on laws,, both for your safetyand your kids!

  6. lisa says

    January 12, 2015 at 12:36 PM

    There were no car seat laws when my daughter was born. I held her on my lap in the front seat. When she was a few months old, the law was put in place. She screamed her head off everytime we had to go by car.

    • Mama in the Now says

      January 12, 2015 at 8:29 PM

      Wow Lisa – how times have changed!

I am a Danish American mom of four boys parenting with heart, humor and hygge. Join me on this crazy ride. You will laugh more than you’d expect!

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