Does anyone know until when a child can ride in a car without a carseat?

Answer 1

Depends on the state you live in...here you go

In general, state car seat laws are way behind the times in terms of safety. Simply using a seat belt might not get you a ticket in your state, but it won't be the best protection for your child if you are in a car accident.

Although laws vary from state to state, you are much better off following the guidelines of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and keep your child who is over 40 pounds in a belt positioning booster seat until they are eight years old, unless they are already 4'9" tall. This is because 'a child under 80 lbs. is generally too small for an adult seat belt. The lap belt rides up over the stomach and the shoulder belt cuts across the neck. In a crash, this can cause critical or even fatal injuries.'

The American Academy of Pediatrics goes a little further and says that most kids aren't ready for regular seat belts until 'the child reaches about 4'9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age.'

If you need some convincing about how important this is, consider that in 2001, there were 44,642 injuries from motor vehicle accidents for children three years old and younger, and that grows to 76,248 injuries for children four to eight years of age. Although injuries from motor vehicle accidents aren't tracked as to whether or not a child was wearing a car seat, it is likely that this increase in injuries for older children was because they are less likely to be in a proper child safety seat than a younger child.

So whether you live in Iowa, which only requires children under age three to be in a car seat, or in Wyoming, where the limit is age eight, after your child is about 40 pounds and outgrows his car seat, be sure to graduate to a belt positioning booster seat instead of simply going to seat belts.

It can sometimes be hard to convince school age children about the importance of using a booster seat, especially if many of their friends are already just in seat belts. To help him get on board with using a booster it can help to be firm about his sitting in a booster seat and use it all of the time. Make using a booster seat one of the non-negotiable rules of your household and don't give it on the issue.

Other tips include:

* don't refer to it as a car seat or baby seat and instead use the terms booster seat, big boy|girl seat, or just safety seat.
* if your car's back seat has headrests, consider using a backless booster, which to many kids doesn't look like a 'real' car seat.
* talk about the benefits of sitting in a booster, which besides safety include being able to look out the window, having cup holders, and being more comfortable with the arm rests, etc.

Answer 2

The law is, age 6 or 60 pounds. Basically your child has to be tall enough that when the seatbelt is situated right, it will lay across the shoulder and not around the neck. A booster seat is designed to eliminate the "strangulation" problem that most kids feel when strapped in by the seatbelt. Remember that kids are safest in the center of the backseat, and no child should be riding in the front seat of the car until they reach age 12 or at least be 5 foot tall due to safety regulations on air bags. Good luck and happy riding.

Answer 3

It is different in different areas but I think the typical requirements for riding without a carseat/booster seat is that they have to be over 4 foot 9 or weighing more than 80lbs.

Check with your local department of transportation, they would have the exact information for your area.

Answer 4

I know that the recommendation is 48" tall - or 4 1/2 feet tall. My daughter will be 8 in October & she's 4 foot 2 inches tall & she still sits in a booster seat in the car. I believe the recommended age to even sit in the front seat is 12 years old. Both the height & age standards are what they feel is safe, 'cause they say that the kids are tall enough that the regular seat-belt restraint will prevent injury in the event of an accident rather than cause it.

Answer 5

The laws vary by state. In my state, they can legally be out of a carseat at 4 years old. But the government recommends that you keep your child in a booster seat until they are 80# or 4'9". I still have my 6 year old in a booster seat. He's only 3'10" and about 55ish pounds.

Answer 6

In Canada a child has to ride in a car seat until they are either 8 years old or weigh over 40 lbs, then they move into a booster.

Answer 7

It depends on where you live. I know in IL it's they have to be in a booster (or carseat; but try to find one that fits an 8 year old) until the age of 8

Answer 8

Depends on the State. Most states require a car/booster seat until the child is at least 60 pounds.

Answer 9

After a child seat you must get your older kids a booster seat. It depends on the weight and height of the child. If you have a tall child that can fit in the adult seats correctly with the chest seat belt properly across their body then they do not need a booster seat anymore. Probably around age 10.

Answer 10

Check the laws in your state. I believe it's about 5 years old and then they can use a booster seat to make sure they are tall enough in the seat. Your child should remain in the back seat until they are about 10 and a certain height.