Car Seat Laws and You!

Car seat laws were of course written after many children were seriously hurt or even killed to protect the children. It is startling to hear that crashes are listed as the number one killer of children. Thus, in the United States, all 50 states have laws covering car seats for children, but many are written in substandard or poor language that does not cover all the salient points. The reason is that the states themselves are responsible for writing the laws. There are even cases where a municipality has different car seat laws within a state.

Even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) feels that no state has yet to meet the stringent recommended standards in their car seat laws. However this administration has been responsible for rating car safety seats on ease of use, for which parents trying to meet Car seat laws are forever thankful. There is another horrific side note to be made and that is that misuse accounts for many deaths and injuries.

Therefore even when the car seat laws are stringent enough, many caregivers of children do not know how to use the car seat in the way that it is meant to be used. However at least there is agreement that a child in a rear-facing seat is the safest, and many newly revised car seat laws in most states now stipulate that a rear-facing seat must be used.

One of the reasons why parents become perplexed about car seat laws is that not every car seat will fit their child properly, and not all car seats fit all makes of cars. The newer cars are, of course, more easily adapted to car seats, but older models are still a problem. A relatively new car seat system is the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

The point here is that caregivers need to read the manual that comes with the car seat and adhere to its recommendations each and every time they use it. Car seat laws are not enough to protect the child; the car seat needs to be properly used each time the vehicle is in motion. Everyone who will take your child in a vehicle needs to read that manual, and even review it if they use it infrequently. A poorly installed car seat may actually cause injury to the child even in a mild fender bender.

When purchasing a car seat for your child, be sure that it has been approved for the current laws of your state. Investigate the kinds being offered, check the online lists of car seat recalls and read customer pros and cons about each. Often car seats that look relatively easy to use have hidden problems that will only surface from those who use the car seat daily!

Canadian car seat laws are very similar to United States laws, but if users have any questions or wish to seek recall information they are directed to get in touch with their local Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: Public Health Units. Again, it cannot be stressed too much that car seats must be used correctly, and the Public Health Units in Canada are more than happy to help regarding car seats and their proper usage.

You may want to check out my other guide on car seat ratings

Car Seat Laws

car seat safety laws

Car Seat Laws and You!

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