Just in case you forgot about the impending changes to car seat safety laws going into effect this new year, all children under the age of 8 must be properly buckled into a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of a vehicle effective Jan. 1. This also applies to children who are older than 8, but are not tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly.
Current law requires children remain in a booster seat until the age 6, or until they weigh 60 pounds.Â
According to a news release from Safe Kids California, keeping children in booster seats increases their chance of surviving a car crash by 45 percent.Â
The fine for violating the new car seat law can go up to $475 for each child under 16 who is not properly secured. Safe Kids California states that a child fits in an adult seat when (1) he/she can sit against the vehicle seat back with his/her knees bent without slouching; (2) he/she can comfortably stay in this position throughout the trip; (3) when the lap belt is low on the hips, touching the upper thighs; and (4) when the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest without touching the face or the neck.
