Michigan has changes coming to its child safety laws that start April 2.
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young children in Michigan. Properly restraining children in a suitable car seat or booster seat for their age and size can reduce the risk of death in a crash by 50%.
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The updates aim to provide improved precautions and protections for child passengers.
The updated laws mandate that children must be secured in a car seat suitable for their age, weight, and height, as specified by the car seat manufacturer.
- Infants up to two years old must be placed in a rear-facing car seat until they either reach the maximum weight or height specified by the car seat manufacturer or turn two years old.
- Children aged two to five years may transition to a forward-facing car seat, remaining there until reaching either the maximum weight or height specified by the manufacturer or until they turn five.
- Children aged five to eight should transition to a belt-positioning booster seat using a lap-and-shoulder belt until they reach 4 feet 9 inches or 8 years old.
- All children under 13 years must ride in the rear seat of a vehicle if the vehicle has one available.
- Children under age 4 must use a car seat in the vehicle’s rear seat if available. If all rear seats are occupied by children under 4, a child may use a car seat in the front seat. A rear-facing car seat in the front seat requires the airbag to be turned off.
- Children must be secured in a car seat or booster seat until they are either 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall, depending on which happens first.
More information can be found on the Office of Highway Safety Planning website.
Monday on Local 4 News at 6 p.m. our Ty Steele walk us through the biggest changes to Michigan laws for car seats. He will be joined by an injury prevention coordinator from Children’s Hospital of Michigan for a live demonstration of the changes to car seats in your vehicles.
