Child Seat Laws
Parents be aware of the new changes to the seat belt law that took effect December 1, 2001. Children riding in a motor vehicle must be in a child restraint device.
The new law is as follows:
Infants up to 1 year old must be in a rear-facing car seat.
Children 1 to 4 years old must be in a forward-facing car seat.
Children 5 to 7 years old and weighing less than 80 pounds must be secured in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
Children 8 to 17 or weighing more than 80 pounds must wear a safety belt, no matter where they are seated in the vehicle.
All children under 8 years old must sit with proper restraints in the back seat unless the vehicle does not have a back seat or other children are sitting there already.
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Proper Child Safety Seat Use Chart Buckle Everyone. Children Age 12 and Under in Back! |
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|---|---|---|---|
| INFANTS | TODDLER | YOUNG CHILDREN | |
| WEIGHT | Birth to 1 year at least 20-22 lbs. |
Over 1 year and Over 20 lbs.-40 lbs. |
Over 40 lbs. Ages 4-8, unless 4'9''. |
| TYPE of SEAT | Infant only or rear-facing convertible | Convertible / Forward-facing | Belt positioning booster seat |
| SEAT POSITION | Rear-facing only | Forward-facing | Forward-facing |
| ALWAYS MAKE SURE: | Children to one year and at least 20 lbs. in rear-facing seats Harness straps at or below shoulder level |
Harness straps should be at or above shoulders Most seats require top slot for forward-facing |
Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and the shoulder belt fits snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries |
| WARNING | All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat | All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat | All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat |
To set up an appointment with a Child Seat Technician call the Old Tappan Police Department at (201) 664-1221.
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