Follow these guidelines when buying a car seat for your child. Children under 2 years old must be in a rear facing car seat until they exceed the manufacturers maximum weight and height limits. Pennsylvania law requires you to have your child in an appropriate car seat or you risk a 75 fine. Children ages 4 until 8 must be securely fastened in a booster seat. According to the national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa manufacturers such as 4moms baby trend britax chicco cybex dream on me graco and safety 1 st sell many top rated products for children. Since laws regarding the childs height weight and age vary by state be sure to use the map above to find laws applying to your state.
Those who weigh more than 80 pounds or exceed 49 in height may use a seat belt without a booster seat. For example in some states the laws state that the child must be in a seat that is appropriate which means that it must be a seat that is used by a child of the size weight height and age as per the label on the seat. All 50 states the district of columbia guam the northern mariana islands and the virgin islands have laws in place for infants and children requiring proper child safety seats. Violation of the child restraint law is a standard offense. All children ages 8 to 16 must wear a. In many states the laws with regards to child booster seats can appear quite vague but they have specific meanings.
The law in pennsylvania. Current pennsylvania car seat laws are based entirely on the age of the child and do not account for height or weight at all. To comply with the pa car seat regulations drivers must obtain a safety seat that best fits their childs age height and weight. The back seat is the safest position for a child but any seat with a seat belt will work. The law states unique provisions depending on the age of the child. This part of the law is new as of 2016.
Children between the ages of four and seven can move on to a booster seat only when they are over the forward facing seat manufacturers height and weight limits. Those car seats must be rear facing until the age of two. Children 8 to 12 years old. Infants under the age of two must sit in rear facing car seats until they outgrow the maximum height or weight limit according to manufacturer instructions. Those who weigh less than 40 pounds may use a child passenger restraint system instead of a booster seat as appropriate for weight. Children under age 2 must be securely fastened in a rear facing child safety seat.
Finally children between eight and 12 can wear the cars backseat safety belt once they are at least 49. Children under age 4 must be securely fastened in a child passenger restraint system. Must be secured in a rear facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer. Children under four are required to ride in traditional car seats. This is a primary law in pennsylvania meaning police officers do not need another reason to conduct a traffic stop. Here are the guidelines.
Child passenger safety laws vary from state to state so its important you are familiar with the laws here in pennsylvania.
Gallery of Pa Child Seat Laws Height And Weight
