Every year, more than 1,000 children aged 12 years and younger die and more than 100,000 get injured in passenger vehicle accidents. In 2008 alone, as many as 1,045 young lives were lost in motor vehicle crashes. To date, car accidents are still the leading cause of death for children older than age 2.
As estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the use of proper restraints saved the lives of 244 children younger than 5 riding in passenger vehicles in 2008. If child safety seats were properly used, 79 more lives could have been saved.
All 50 states have child restraint laws but these differ in terms of age, enforcement and penalties from state to state.
California car seat laws for children provide that children 5 years old and younger or weighing less than 60 pounds must ride in the back seat of a vehicle and be secured in a federally-approved child passenger restraint system.
Further, seat belts are permissible for children ages 6 through 15 years or weigh more than 60 pounds. A maximum fine of $100 shall be imposed for first time offenders of California car seat law.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2008, as much as 87 percent of child passengers younger than age 8 were restrained according to national surveys. Despite the high rate of child restraint use, it was revealed however that children weren't always in the proper restraint for their age and size.
Here are some tips to ensure that your child is properly restrained and well-protected in case of a car crash:
- Any child 12 years old and younger should sit in the back seat because it is the safest place. If seated in front, the back seat should be moved as far back as possible to minimize danger.
- Until the infant has reached 1 year of age and weigh 20 lbs, they should be placed in rear-facing child safety seats.
- Children aged 1-4 years old and weighing 20-40 lbs. can ride in forward-facing or forward-facing convertible seats.
- California has made child booster seats a requirement under the law. Children aged 4 years and older and weigh around 40-80 lbs. should use a high-backed booster seat.
- If a child is seated in front, the vehicle should not have passenger air bags.
- Carrying a child or infant in your arms does not qualify as proper restraints, never carry a child or baby in a moving vehicle.
- If children can sit with their feet on the floor of the vehicle or if they weigh 80 pounds and 5’7 tall, they may use a seat belt.
