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Children under 16 years of age must be restrained in a vehicle
according to the below guidelines.
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Watch
These Videos |
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If
your Child is... |
The
Law is... |
1 years old or
younger OR
under 20 pounds |
Your child must
be in a rear facing infant seat. |
Between 1 and 4
years OR
20 - 40 pounds |
A forward facing
child safety seat |
Between 4 and 6
years OR
40 - 60 pounds |
A booster seat
with a lap and shoulder belt. |
6 years old
OR
60 pounds and greater |
A seatbelt or a
booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt. |
| American Academy
of Pediatrics Recommends |
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If
your Child is... |
The
Law is... |
1 years old or
younger AND
20 pounds |
Infants need
to remain rear facing until at least one year of age and
until they weigh at least 20 pounds. If the label on the car
seat says the seat may be used rear-facing up to 30 or more
pounds this is the safest way for baby to ride. |
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Between 1 and
4 years |
Keep the child
in a forward-facing seat with a harness as long as they fall
within the height/weight recommendations for the seat. Be
careful not to graduate your child to the next seat too
soon. |
Kids 4 to 6
OR
40 - 60 Pounds |
Booster seats
are recommended until the child is 8 years and 80 pounds.
unless the child is about 4' 9" tall. The vehicle must have
a shoulder and lap belt to use a booster seat. |
6 years or
older
OR
60 pounds or more |
Try this
5-Step Test to learn when the adult seat belt properly fits
your child.
- Does the
child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
- Do the
child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle
seat without slouching?
- Does the
lap belt stay on the top part of the child’s thighs?
- Is the
shoulder belt centered on the chest and shoulder?
- Can the
child stay seated this way for the whole trip?
If you say
no to ANY of these questions, or if your child puts the
shoulder part of the seat belt under their arm or behind
their back, your child still needs a booster seat.
Children
less than 13 years of age are safer in the back seat
regardless of an air bag |
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Tickets
Cost $101.00 If Your Child Is Not Properly Restrained! |
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On July 27,
2003, the fine for improperly restrained children in motor
vehicles increased to $101.00. Drivers who are traveling
with children between 4-6 years and 40-60 pounds who are not
properly restrained in a booster seat now need to pay $15.00
more per ticket. An improperly restrained child includes one
who uses a booster seat, but who puts the shoulder belt
behind his back or under his arm.
For more
information on the fine increase, contact The Administrative
Office of the Courts, Olympia, WA, (360) 753-3365. |
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Washington's Child Restraint Law will change on
June 1, 2007
to require: |
- Children
under 13 years old be transported in the back seat where
it is practical to do so.
- Children
up to their 8th birthday, unless they are 4'9" tall (57
inches), be transported in an appropriate child restraint
system. (For example a child car seat, booster seat, vest,
or other restraint that is federally approved for use in
the car.)
- The
restraint system must be used correctly according to the
car seat AND vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
- Vehicles
equipped with lap-only seat belts are exempt from the
requirement to use a booster seat.
- Children
8-years of age or at least 4'9" who wear a seat belt MUST
use it correctly (never under the arm or behind the back)
or continue to use a booster.
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