A properly secured child safety seat that is appropriate for your child's age, height, and weight is the best protection you can provide to your child on the road.
According to CDC, 128,000 children were injured in car-related accidents in 2016 and more than 700 of them died in those accidents.
A huge and unnecessary loss of precious lives can be reduced, and Georgia has a set of comprehensive laws in place to help prevent such losses.
Georgia Car Seat Law
According to law:
“Every driver who transports a child under eight years of age […] provide for the proper restraint of such child in a child passenger restraining system appropriate for such child's height and weight and approved by the United States Department of Transportation under provisions of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 in effect on January 1, 1983, or at the time of manufacture”(Source)
Georgia Infant/Toddler Car Seat Law
Georgia law requires a child to use a restraining system until they are 8 years of age. According to experts, infants should travel in rear-facing car seats.
Georgia Rear-facing Car Seat Law
As per Georgia law, children must travel in a restraining system that is suitable for their age; for children under 3, rear-facing is the best position. Keep them in the rear-facing car seat for as long as possible until they reach the upper seat limit established by the manufacturer.
Georgia Forward-facing Car Seat Law
After a child has reached the upper limit of the rear-facing seat suggested by the manufacturer, he/she can move to a forward-facing seat until they are within the seat's height and weight limit.
Child Booster Seat Laws in Georgia
Most manufacturers and experts recommend that children travel in a booster seat from the age of 8 until they are 4’9”. If the child has reached the maximum limit of a forward-facing seat, they can start using a booster seat before the age of 8. You will be complying with Georgia law as long as you are respecting the car seat manufacturer's instructions.
When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Georgia?
It is required by Georgia law that all children under the age of 8 sit in the back seat of the car. There are a couple of exceptions, however. If the vehicle has no rear seating position appropriate for correctly restraining a child, or all appropriate rear seating positions are occupied by other children.
Leaving Child in Car Law in Georgia
Georgia doesn’t have any law regarding leaving children alone in the car seat. It still is possible to get convicted for dangerous/careless behavior using other laws.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Georgia?
As of right now, it’s not illegal to smoke in a car with a child passenger. Although, Georgia is trying to change this via a bill. You can read the bill here.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Georgia
Taxis are exempt from the child restraining laws in Georgia. (Source)
Georgia Law Car Seat - Replacement After Accident
There are no laws regarding the replacement of car seats after an accident in the state of Georgia. You can look for instruction from the car seat manual. Accidents can be of different severity and usually, car seat manufacturers provide guidelines on what to do in case of an accident. You are also encouraged to follow NHTSA’s recommendation in case of an accident.
Places to Get Car Seat Help in Georgia
Good Car Seat Videos for Georgia Parents
Buckle Up Georgia - Child Safety Seat Awareness
CHOP Car Seat Safety by Age
Child Safety Seats – Rear-facing Car Seats
Child Safety Seats – Forward-facing Car Seats
Child Safety Seats – Booster Seats
Car Seat Installation tutorial
Car Seat Safety
Installing a Car Seat Properly
Resources for More Info on Georgia Car Seat Safety
With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!
To contact me directly please click here.
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