It’s nice to see state legislatures like California’s catching up to the research and helping nudge parents to keep their children as safe as possible in the car. We have known for a long time that rear facing is safer than forward facing for every person, and especially for infants up until at least age 2. Science shows us that it is anatomical development (which comes with age), not the height or weight, that makes a young child less at risk for catastrophic neck injuries in a crash when forward facing. To clarify, the 40 pound/inch caveat should not be used to imply that rear facing is somehow less important for a 40 pound or 40 inch 18-month toddler, because it’s not. The law is written so that families of children who are very tall and/or heavy do not have to buy an expensive extended rear facing seat to make it to age 2. In short, it’s not worth it, especially when you consider that ignoring this law puts your child at risk of death or significant injury. (b), a child is approved to use a forward-facing car seat when weighing 40 pounds or more, or 40 inches or more in height, which typically happens when the child is 2-4 years old. Information about child car restraint laws and. Based on the regulations in California Legislature section Section 27360. Your childs size and fit in their child restraint is more important than their age. Children are best protected when they are in the correct child car seat for their size and age. Violating these laws carries a fine that can exceed $500 for each improperly restrained child, as well as having points added to the driver’s license. Correct use of a child car restraint reduces the risk of death by up to 75.
California laws on child restraint systems forward facing install#
The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.” Do not install a front-facing child-restraint system on the front passenger seat unless it is unavoidable: In a collision, the force of a deploying air bag. “Effective January 1, 2017, children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. All children 8 years or older or 4’9″ or taller may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits them properly.īut the newest component replaces the previous 1 year and 20 pounds rear facing minimum requirement. VOSP works closely with local health departments, hospitals, community agencies, child care. All children under age 8 must be buckled into a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle.Ģ. The Vehicle Occupant Safety Program (VOSP), part of the Safe and Active Communities (SAC) Branch of CDPH, strives to prevent injuries and deaths to infants and toddlers in California by increasing the use, and correcting misuse, of child safety seats.
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Several existing laws remain in place, including:ġ. Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall.
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On the first day of 2017, California will join a small group of states that require children to remain rear facing until age 2 (with a few specific caveats). There are a number of reasons why we love living in California and starting January 1st, there’s one more reason to add to the list.