What is the proper wieght in the state of IN. For a booster seat?

Question

My daughter wieghs 70 lbs. Just wondering the wieght in wich she no longer needs one.

Answer 1

State laws are definitely important things to know, but it's also important to mention that laws are the "floor", not the "ceiling". They are the bare minimum, not actually what is safe for most kids.

Seatbelts are made to fit the average adult male, and even some smaller adults have trouble getting a correct belt fit. It's no wonder younger kids also have trouble with correct belt fit, and ludicrous for parents to think kids 4-8 can use seatbelts alone.

Weight is really not a good indicator of when a child is ready to move to seatbelts alone. Some kids can be heavy and short, or short-torsoed, and belts won't fit right. Some kids can be tall and very thin, fitting adult belts properly at a fairly low weight.

Kids should be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall to ride without a booster seat, and in some vehicles they may need to be taller. Since vehicle and seatbelt design varies from car to car, a child may be fine without a booster in one car but not another. Most kids are at least age 8, usually closer to 10, before they are truly ready to do without a booster. Some smaller kids need a booster until 12.

Car crashes are the #1 killer of everyone ages 1-34, and kids ages 4-8 have a higher rate of injury and death than kids ages 1-4, because they are usually out of a harnessed seat and most of the time not in a booster, either.

The very best way to know if your child is ready to move to adult belts alone is the 5 step test:

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?


If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!


The back seat is the safest part of the car for all passengers. Recent research shows that children should ride in the back seat until they reach age 15.

http://carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

There are boosters on the market that accommodate kids to about 5 feet tall, and there are boosters that don't have an upper weight limit, so kids can essentially use them until they don't need them anymore.

Highback boosters provide a measure of side impact protection as well as protection from seatbelt syndrome injuries. Backless boosters don't do anything for side impact protection, but protect against seatbelt syndrome injuries by positioning the belts properly.

Any vehicle that has lowback bench seats and/or no headrests is not safe for any passenger if the tips of the ears are over the vehicle seatback. A highback booster would then be necessary as long as possible to provide adequate head/neck protection in a crash.

Answer 2

"Indiana state law requires children age 7 and under to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for the child's height and weight. Indiana law also requires that the car seat or booster seat be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children ages 8 to 16 must ride in a seat belt. The state of Indiana strongly encourages parents to place children in the back seat whenever possible, though this is not required by law."

Answer 3

I am not sure of the laws but I know that there are seats on the market that go up to 100lbs. It Texas they are working to pass a law that would require a child to be in a booster until the age of 5 and 36in tall. You could call you local police department or insurance company I am sure that they would have more specific info.

Answer 4

They say 4 foot 9 i think or 7 years old

I feel thats far too old. My 6 year old cries the whole time we are in the car......... She keeps saying IM NOT A BABY..... I guess some of her friends dont sit in one anymore so she doesnt see why she has too....................

Answer 5

I've heard it is 8 yrs old or 80lbs.