Child Car Seats

Staying Within the Law and Your Budget

In Georgia, automobile accidents continue to be the leading cause of death and injuries for children ages 1 to 12 years. The lack or improper use of car seats is a significant contributor to this sobering statistic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 40% of children under 6 who die or suffer debilitating injuries in automobile accidents are unrestrained or improperly restrained; however, when car seats are used correctly they are 71% effective in preventing injury among infants and 54% effective with children ages 1-4.

Realizing the crucial role that car seats play in child safety, Georgia lawmakers have passed laws and regulations pertaining to their use.

According to Georgia law:

ALL children under the age of six, regardless of how tall they are, must ride in the backseat of a car. A child is safer in the back and farthest away from the force of an airbag. Remember that airbags are designed to save adults, and since they deploy with great force they can be fatal to children.

Children under the age of six are required to be in either a car seat or a booster seat suitable for their age and height.

If there is not a back seat in the vehicle (e.g., a truck) or if other restrained children are in the back seat, Georgia law permits a child under the age of six to sit in front if restrained in the proper car seat or booster.

Georgia’s Primary Safety Belt Law allows law enforcement officers to issue a citation if they OBSERVE a seat belt offense. They do not need to stop the driver for another traffic violation first, as in some other states.

Failure to obey Georgia law can result in a fine of up to $50 and one point against your license per improperly restrained child. The fine and points may be doubled if a second incident occurs.

Beyond the Law
Experts suggest several other tips to ensure your child’s safety while riding in a motor vehicle:

Children under the age of 13 should ride in the backseat.

Holding a child in your lap or placing a car seat in the front seat instead of the back could put your child’s life in serious danger.

Avoid using a used child car seat or one that has been in an accident.

Buckle up even on short trips around the corner. Most car accidents occur within a 5 mile radius of the home, according to a 2001 study by Progressive Insurance.

How to Shop for a Car Seat
When you are shopping for a new car seat, consider these important factors:

Safety - Every child safety seat manufactured or sold in the U.S. must meet strict federal government safety standards. That being said, the seats with the five point harness are thought to be the safest because they restrain your child’s whole body instead of just the neck or shoulders. Several child advocate websites, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, offer their recommendations for the safest child car seat.

Comfort and Compatibility – For maximum effectiveness, your car seat should fit both your child and your vehicle. So be sure to bring your child with you when buying a car seat to ensure the proper size, fit and comfort level.

Warranty - A good car seat will be durable and have a long life expectancy. Check the warranty period included with the seat — the longer, the better.

Price – While all cars have the same basic safety features, more money will provide additional comforts such as reclining positions, easier installation and cushioning.

Convenience – In addition to choosing a car seat that is easy to install and easy to clean, parents can choose from innovative design options such as the car seat/stroller combination, the detachable car seat, or the convertible seat, which converts from a rear-facing infant seat into a forward-facing toddler seat.

Boost Your Safety
Booster seats are the most overlooked part of car seat safety. The goal of a booster seat is to lessen the risk of injury by helping the seat belt fit properly. Booster seats are recommended for children 4-8 years old who are less than 4’9” tall.

When using a booster seat, remember the following:

Use a high back model if your vehicle has low seats and no headrests. You can use a backless model if your vehicle has a headrest.
Use the booster seat until your child meets manufacturer weight limits or fits into a seatbelt properly.

If you are not sure if your child needs a booster seat, you can take the 5-step test developed by Safety Belt Safe U.S.A. at www.carseat.org.

Four Steps to Safety (as recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

	AGE LIMIT	WEIGHT / HEIGHT LIMIT	COMMENTS
Infant Seat	Newborn to 1 year Less than 1 year	Up to 20 lbs. 20-35 lbs.	These car seats should be rear-facing For 20 lb.+ babies, use a seat recommended for heavier infants
Toddler Seat	1-4 years	20-40 lbs	Child needs to be BOTH 1 year old and 20 lbs. or more before placed in a forward-facing seat
Booster Seat	From 4 years to at least 8 years	Between 40-80 lbs; Under 4’9” tall	Booster seat should be used with lap and shoulder belt; Lap belt should rest across the lap-never the stomach
Safety Belt	Between 8-12 years	Over 80 lbs; Taller than 4’9”

Installation and Inspection
The majority of parents believe that their child’s car seat is properly installed, but research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 8 out of 10 car seats are installed incorrectly.

For free installation and inspection, contact your local fire department. You can also find inspection stations in your area by visiting http://www.seatcheck.org or calling 1-866-SEATCHECK (866-732-8243) or viewing The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database of inspection sites.

Other Resources

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, which can also be contacted at 1-888-420-0767

Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, including Boosterseat.gov

Children’s Hospital of Atlanta

The American Academy of Pediatrics

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