CALIFORNIA CHILD SEAT LAW & USAGE

Children must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds. Visit the downloads sections of this web site to download pdf documents on child seat laws.

Remember: All children under 16 must ride properly buckled up. The cost of a violation is a $270 fine and a point on your driving record.

Car booster seats must be used in conjunction with the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt. The booster seat raises the child so that the vehicle lap and shoulder belt can be positioned properly, and the child's knees can bend naturally.

• Best place for a child is in the back seat.
• Babies ride rear-facing and reclined (45-degree angle) until 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
• Toddlers ride forward-facing and upright with a harness until 40 pounds.
• Children who are over 40 pounds or have outgrown the harness system use a lap and shoulder belt-positioning booster seat.
• When You Choose a Safety Seat or Booster Sea
• Select a seat that fits your child. One type does not fit all.
• Be sure the seat fits in your vehicle.
• Choose a seat that is easy to install correctly.

Infant seats are installed rear-facing only. Designed to recline at a 45-degree angle. May be used with or without the detachable base.

Designed for children from newborn to 40 pounds or 40 inches tall. Seat can be installed either rear- or forward-facing.

Did you know that the vast majority of parents have installed their child's car seat incorrectly? Most parents are unware of the center tether that needs to be achored to the car to use to secure forward facing seats

Most accidents happen on a left turn, so avoid placing your child on the rear right hand side. The best place for a child seat in the middle, but if yiou have two kids avoid the rear right hand side.

For more information visit or click on the icons below

http://www.carseat.org

http://www.nhtsa.dot