Parents’ top priority when it comes to their children and driving is to keep kids safe in the car, and one of the most important ways to do that is to use the right car seat in the right way. Like in most states, Pennsylvania car front seat laws are designed to keep children safe in the event of an accident. These are rules about when and how children should be strapped into their car seats based on their age, weight and height.
As a parent or guardian, it is essential to be familiar with Pennsylvania’s car seat laws to ensure your child’s safety and meet legal requirements. It is also essential to find the right car seat for your children, as choosing the right seat can make a significant difference in the event of a crash. This article discusses the key aspects of Pennsylvania car seat laws and what parents should know to make appropriate choices for their child’s car seat.
Pennsylvania Car Seat Laws: What You Need to Know
Pennsylvania car seat laws are in place to keep kids as safe as possible while they’re on the road in a car. They dictate the type of car seat a child should use according to the child’s age and weight and height. In general, the state employs a tiered approach to dealing with children of different developmental ages (baby, toddler, preschool):
Rear-Facing Car Seats: Pennsylvania law requires that any child under two years of age is to be restrained in a rear-facing car seat. This is similar to Virginia car seat laws. Rear-facing car seats offer the best protection for the head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. The seat can be kept until the child reaches a specified weight or height limits set by the manufacturer.
Forward-Facing Car Seats: Once a child has outgrown the forward-facing car seat stage, typically between the ages of 4 and 8, they are required to use a booster seat that is compatible with their height and weight. Booster seats elevate the child so that the car’s seat belt passes across the lap and shoulder and not neck.
Booster Seats: After outgrowing the forward-facing seat, children between the ages of 4 and 8 must use a booster seat, provided they meet the height and weight requirements. Booster seats position the child upwards so that the seat belt from the car comes across their lap and shoulder.
Seat Belt Wear: Children who are over 8 years of age or have outgrown their booster seat may wear a lap and shoulder belt. The seat belt should fit, however: The lap belt should fall across the child’s upper thighs, not stomach, and the shoulder belt should cross the shoulder and chest, not the neck.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
In Pennsylvania, failing to follow car seat laws can result in penalties. If a police officer pulls someone over and finds that a child is not buckled into an air car seat, the driver may be fined. Parents may also be required to pay an enhanced insurance premium; in severe cases, they must complete a child passenger safety class.
Best Practices for Car Front Seat Safety
While compliance with the minimum requirements is required for the Pennsylvania car seat law, achieving maximum car seat safety typically entails more than is legally mandated. Some of the most critical advice parents can take to ensure maximum protection for their children include:
- Check for Expiration Dates: There’s an expiration date on a car front seat, too, and an expired car seat can be dangerous. Always review the manufacturer’s guidelines for confirmation on whether your car seat is safe.
- Installation Properly: The car seat must be installed correctly to function as intended. Parents are always advised to read the manufacturer’s directions, and may even choose to have a correct installation inspected by a certified car seat technician.
- Avoid Second-hand Car Seats: While buying a used car seat will save you some cost, It may not be safe. You don’t know what used car seats have already been through or whether they are missing parts necessary to keep your child safe.
- Rear Seat is Safest: The rear seat is the safest place for children of any age. For children under 13, the rear seat is best because it’s the farthest from the impact point in a crash.
