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Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Question: I heard some talk about new car seat laws and how kids are to be seat belted. Can you explain it in-depth please?

Answer: Yes, I can, and as a matter of fact it is National Child Passenger Safety Week. Here is some information that we shared on our Minnesota Department of Public Safety blog.

Figuring out the best way to keep kids safe in your vehicle can be complicated. The Minnesota Legislature has updated the Child Passenger Safety Law offering new guidance on child seats, booster seats and seat belts, adding increased safety measures to protect children. The law went into effect Aug. 1, may change how children ride in your vehicle.

Crashes are a leading cause of injury and death among children. Proper car seat use helps protect and minimize injuries to our youngest passengers. That’s why our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), along with the Minnesota Safety Council, are working to make sure you’re ready for the new rules, which mirror the American Academy of Pediatrics child seat recommendations.

“We all want our children to be as safe as possible while we’re driving, and that means making sure they are in the proper child restraint,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “The new law lays out best practices and will help parents make the best decision to protect their child.”

Prior to the changes, state law required car seats to be used according to manufacturer’s instructions on height and weight. Now, instead of just relying on the child’s size, the law specifies ages for rear- and forward-facing car seats, booster seats and seat belts (subject to weight and height depending on the child seat manufacturer). In addition, the booster seat requirement has been increased from 8 to 9 years old. The age guidelines, which you can find here, include:

Birth to at least 2 years old:

• Rear-facing in an infant or convertible child safety seat.

At least 2 years old AND has outgrown the rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight:

• Forward-facing with an internal harness.

Four years old AND has outgrown the forward-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight:

• Ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap belt and shoulder belt.

Nine years old or has outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the five-step test that demonstrates how the seat belt fits correctly:

• Ride restrained with a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat.

Additionally, children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.

If a child falls into more than one category, then the child must be placed in the safer restraint for them. For example, a child who is 2.5 years old and weighs 35 pounds but has a car seat with a rear-facing limit of 40 pounds must stay rear-facing even though they are over 2 years old. It’s very important for parents and caregivers to always read their car seat and vehicle owners’ manuals for proper installation.

If you need help installing a car seat or need more information, go to buckleupkids.dps.mn.gov

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson — Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.