New York's Occupant Restraint laws require the following:
Children up to the age of 4 must be properly restrained in a federally approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a seat belt or universal child restraint anchorage (LATCH) system.
Children less than age 4 but weighing more than 40 pounds may be restrained in a booster seat with a lap/shoulder safety belt.
Children ages 4, 5, 6 and 7 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system, one for which the child meets the height and weight recommendations of the child restraint manufacturer.*
An appropriate child restraint system is one that meets the child's size and weight recommended by the manufacturer.
A vehicle's safety belt is NOT a child restraint system.
Children riding in booster seats must be secured with a combination lap/shoulder seat belt, NEVER secure a child in a booster seat with only a lap belt.
From the age of 8 until they reach their 16th birthday, children must be restrained in a seat belt when they ride in the back seat. Front seat passengers must be properly restrained at all times, regardless of age.
Children 12 years and younger should ride in the back seat. By simply buckling up your child in the back seat reduces his/her risk of death by 33%.
*It is recommended that booster seats be used until your child is 4 foot 9 inches tall or weighs 100 pounds.
Child Safety Seats
Child Passenger Restraints Are Not An Option,
They Are The Law!
Effective November 24, 2009- All Children MUST be restrained in an
appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle,
until they reach their 8th birthday.
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Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children of every age between 2 and 14 in the United States.
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Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars.
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In 2006, motor vehicles crashes claimed the lives of 1,794 children under age 15 and injured 208,000 more!
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Everyday in the United States during 2006, an average of 5 children age 14 and younger were killed and 568 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
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Based upon the results of child safety seat checks conducted across New York State in the last year, the "misuse rate" is actually much higher - it is more than 90 percent!
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You can have your child's car seat checked for correct installation by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at a fitting station. To find one near you go to www.safeny.ny.gov.