Have you heard? Changes to the California car seat law become enforceable on January 1, 2017.
New Addition:
Starting January 1, 2017, children under 2-years-old must be rear-facing unless they weigh 40 pounds or more, or are 40 inches tall or more.
Current Law:
Children under age 8 must be buckled into a car seat or booster in the back seat. Children age 8 or older, or who are 4’9” or taller, may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat. Everyone in the car must be properly buckled up. For each child under 16 who is not properly secured, parents (if in the car) or drivers can be fined more than $500 and get a point on their driving records.
Most children will outgrow an infant seat before age 1 –
■ The next step is a convertible car seat.
■ Rear-facing is 5 times safer than forward-facing.
■ The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
To make a car seat checkup appointment call our Car Seat Hotline at 916-864-5779.
