Child Safety on the Road: Understanding Car Seat Laws in NJ & NY
As traffic increases with more people returning to work and school, car accidents are on the rise too. Ensuring child safety during travel is important, especially in understanding and following booster seat requirements in New Jersey and New York. Proper booster seat use is essential to keep our kids safe on the road.
Whether you are a brand-new parent, or you’ve got three kids under the age of four, it’s a good idea to perform regular checks on infant and toddler safety seats, as well as on your vehicle’s seat belts. Even minor wear and tear on car seats and seat belts can have devastating consequences.
Furthermore, proper car seat installation is essential to ensure your child’s safety. And with the car seat rules in New York and New Jersey being among the toughest in the nation, proper installation and use will also eliminate unnecessary fines and tickets.
Quick Summary:
- In New Jersey and New York, children under 8 years old and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches must use a car seat or booster seat that meets federal safety standards. This ensures children are properly protected and avoids the risks associated with lap belts alone. Following these guidelines and regularly adjusting car seats as your child grows significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
- Booster seats provide crucial protection by ensuring seat belts fit properly, keeping your child safe and secure during travel. Violating car seat laws in New Jersey and New York can result in fines of up to $75 and $100, respectively. Additionally, these violations may add points to your driver’s license, potentially leading to its suspension.
- If your child is injured in a car accident, first seek medical attention immediately and document any injuries or scene details. Then, exchange information with other drivers, report the accident to law enforcement, notify your insurance company, and consult a lawyer to explore potential compensation options.
What Does NJ & NY Car Seat Law Say?
In both New Jersey and New York, the law is clear: all children under 8 years old who are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) must be buckled up in a car seat or booster seat that meets federal safety standards (New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 39:3-76.2). This means no lap belts for little ones – they need the full protection of a car seat.
All child safety seats must be certified under the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard 213. If your seat is old, it may not meet these requirements. In New York and New Jersey, children must ride in an approved safety seat if they are age four and younger, and in an age-appropriate restraint system until the age of eight.
In addition to avoiding fines and tickets for improper car seat use, following the NJ and NY car seat laws dramatically reduces your children’s risk of serious injury or death in a motor vehicle collision. To protect their most vulnerable citizens, New York and New Jersey have implemented strict guidelines for car seats.
New Jersey Car Seat Guidelines
Understanding age and size requirements for car seats to ensure your child’s safety. This knowledge helps protect them during travel. Using these car seat tips and adjusting them as your child grows will ensure their safety in the car.
Infants (Newborn to 1 Year Old)
Infants under 22 pounds need special rear-facing infant seats with a 5-point harness. Always use them in the back seat, never the front, to avoid airbag dangers. These seats often get outgrown before the baby’s first birthday.
Toddlers (1 to 4 Years Old)
Keep your child in a rear-facing seat with a five-point harness system until they are two years old and weigh at least 30 pounds. You can switch from an infant seat to a “convertible” seat with the same harness system. Once children meet height and weight requirements, their seats can be turned to face forward. But they should remain in the back seat until at least the age of 12, and for as long as possible.
Preschoolers and Early Elementary Children (4 to 8 Years Old)
When your child gets too big for a harness, they can graduate to a booster seat. This lifts them up so the adult seat belt fits snugly across their chest and hips, keeping them safe in a crash.
School-aged Children and Older (8 to 12 Years Old)
Children can move from the baby seat to a booster seat when they hit 8 years old or 57 inches tall (whichever is sooner). Booster seats are simpler to use and last until age 12 for smaller kids.
In addition to checking the booster seat age in New Jersey, you should consider your child’s weight. While some seats can hold children up to 80 pounds, others may have a weight limit of 40 or 60 pounds.
New York Car Seat Guidelines
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles (NYDMV) have many resources to help parents find the right seat or restraint for their child. The proper seat will depend on your child’s age, height, and weight:
Birth to 12 Months
Children under 1 should always use a rear-facing car seat. Infants, typically those weighing 22 pounds or less and measuring 25 inches or less, need an infant-only seat. For larger infants, convertible or all-in-one car seats provide extended rear-facing support, accommodating higher weight and length limits.
1 to 3 Years
Children should remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. Once they reach the top weight and height limit for their rear-facing car seat, they are ready for a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether.
4 to 7 Years
Children should stay in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether for as long as possible. When they outgrow the forward-facing seat’s weight and height limits, it’s time for a booster seat. Booster seats are designed for kids weighing 40 to 80 pounds and under 4 feet, 9 inches tall. In New York, children should use a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old and should always ride in the back seat while in a booster.
8 to 12 Years
Children should remain in a booster seat until they are ready for a seat belt. A properly fitted seat belt should cross the upper thighs and chest. Children should remain in the back seat until at least age 12.
Why Booster Seats Matter?
Car seat laws are essential, but when it comes to your child’s safety, booster seats offer a level of protection that goes far beyond legal requirements. Here’s why:
- Perfect Fit, Optimal Safety: Regular seat belts are made for adults, which can be unsafe for smaller children by riding up on their stomach or slipping off their shoulder. Booster seats lift children to position the seat belt correctly for safer travel.
- Think Beyond the Bump: Consider your child’s physical development beyond age and height requirements; even at age 8, they may not fit an adult seat belt properly. A booster seat ensures safety until they reach 4’9″, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for secure seat belt use.
- Confidence on Every Ride: Knowing your child is buckled up correctly in a booster seat offers priceless peace of mind. It allows you to focus on the road and enjoy the journey together, confident that your little one has the best possible chance of staying safe in case of an accident.
By investing in a booster seat and using it consistently, you’re giving your child the gift of superior safety on every adventure.
Are There Penalties for Car Seat Violations in New Jersey and New York?
It is a common misconception that people don’t get tickets for violating car seat laws, especially those about older children. But in the 12 months following New Jersey’s new 2015 car seat legislation, a whopping 6,257 tickets were issued for car seat and seat belt violations involving kids under the age of eight.
Penalties for violating car seat laws in New Jersey may include a fine of up to $75.
Penalties for violating car seat laws in New York may include a fine of up to $100.
In addition to any fines, you may also get points on your driver’s license for violating child safety seat laws. Too many points, and you can lose your license.
Common Mistakes Parents Make When Using Car Seats
Car seats must be installed properly to provide the protection intended for the child. Below are some of the most common mistakes parents will make when using car seats for their children:
- Using an expired car seat. Parents should only use the seat for six years. After this amount of time, wear and tear can impact their effectiveness.
- Not buckling the child tightly. While your child should not be uncomfortable in their car seat, failing to secure the straps loose enough can be extremely dangerous. Pay extra attention to your child’s restraints in winter. Snowsuits and puffy jackets may allow the belts to be too loose.
- Adjusting the seat as your child grows. As a child gets bigger, their car seat will need to be adjusted for comfort and security. Make sure that the car seat arm straps fit securely.
- Allowing a child to sit in the front seat. While your child may beg to ride in the front seat, it can be dangerous in the event of a car accident. An airbag can kill a child who is riding in the front.
- Improper car seat installation. If you do not install a car seat correctly, this can be dangerous. If you are not sure whether your child’s car seat is installed within your vehicle correctly, get feedback from those with experience. The New Jersey State Police offer safety seat checks weekly throughout the state. Click here to locate the location nearest to you.
What Should I Do if My Child Has Been Injured in a Car Accident?
The aftermath of a car accident with your child can be overwhelming. And kids can’t always accurately verbalize the symptoms they are experiencing.
Here’s what you should do to help your child and protect their rights:
- Seek Medical Help – Seeking medical attention after an accident to rule out serious injuries and get any treatment needed. Keeping medical records is important for your child’s health and potentially for a lawsuit, if you choose to file one.
- Document the Scene – If you can do so safely, take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to the vehicles involved and any visible injuries your child may have sustained.
- Exchange Information – Exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers involved in the accident. Get names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance policy numbers.
- Report the Accident – Contact law enforcement and report the accident. They will create a report detailing the circumstances of the crash, which can be important for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Notify Your Insurance Company – Contact your insurance company and inform them of the accident. Provide them with the necessary information and cooperate with their investigation.
- Consult a Lawyer – If your child has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is also in your best interest to consult with a NJ/NY car accident injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, and emotional pain and suffering.
- Explore Legal Options – No amount of money can erase the pain of a child’s car accident injury, but it can help you focus on their healing and recovery by covering expenses and lost wages. If another driver was at fault, a car accident lawyer can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Get in Touch With Our NJ & NY Car Accident Attorneys to Discover Your Options
Knowing and following booster seat requirements in New Jersey and New York is vital for keeping our little ones safe while traveling in vehicles. However, figuring out the right car seat for your child’s age and size can feel overwhelming and confusing.
At Kreizer Law, our New Jersey car accident lawyers can explain the rules regarding the age, weight, and height of children who must ride in car seats or booster seats. We can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
Our personal injury law firm is dedicated to helping parents understand and comply with car seat laws in NJ and NY. We will review your case and determine the most appropriate legal strategy for moving forward. We’ll advocate on your behalf and work to achieve the best possible outcome.
Protect your child, and know the law. Stay informed about car seat laws in NJ & NY. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation to ensure your child’s safety on the road. We can also help you deal with nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, sexual abuse, wrongful conviction, and worker’s compensation cases.
