Car Seat Laws

[Jenny0725]

Does anyone now what the car seat laws are in Florida? Illinois passed a new law this year that any child under the age of 8 needs to be in a car seat or booster seat.

I am wondering if I need to bring a booster for my 6 year old.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

I believe in Florida a child must be in a car seat until they turn four years old. (If I am reading it correctly, FL Car Seat Law.

We are flying to Orlando in July and I am seriously considering if I really need to bring my 6 yo DS's booster seat with us. I will already be dragging along DS 2 & DD 4's car seats. Guess I have plenty of time to think about it.

 

[mommaoffour]

on my trip- tic it says that children 5 and under must be in a child seat while in FL .. so i went out and got DS a new seat yesterdaty.. but he likes it he calls it his pilot chair for his space destroyer( he loves starwars) i was really worried that he would not sit in it and was hesitant on purchasing one again as he had only been out of the other one for 9 months now and all and we would only need it for the trip .. any way thats what AAA says about car seats

 

[CM'sMom]

How will you be traveling? Last year my DS was 5 when we took a Limo from the airport to our hotel. When I made the reservation I told them I would need a booster seat. They had one ready for us in the trunk when they picked us up. We used Disney transportation the rest of our vacation and a booster was not needed.

 

[Jenny0725]

Thanks for the info!

We are renting a car and I will already be bringing my 2yr olds seat. I could probably stuff my 6yr olds boaster in the car seat travel bag if needed.

Illinois just past the new law on boosters so I was not sure about other states.

It was disappointing for my daughter when we had to go back to a car seat after being out of one for over a year.

 

[mudnuri]

Okay I've just got to ask this...

Here in Vermont it's 8 years or 80lbs..which ever comes first..

My DD's 7 & 8 have never been in a car without a booster/carseat.. except the school bus...but anyway...I know that the reason VT has passed this law is because it is SAFEST for the DD's to be in these seats, until they reach the age/size listed above...right? Thats what these laws are for right?? SAFETY??


Okay- then if we agree on that, why would I even think of NOT using one in Florida just because florida's law is lax compared to ours?

I just dont get it...

Brandy

 

[Parrothd]

Be careful Jenny0725. The new IL law reads "8 and under" or 80 lbs. It's not "Under 8".

The difference between the two is a whole year. When it first passed, it was a huge debate around here. We finally had to contact the state. The official stance (and wording) is "8 & under" (which equates to "Under 9"). Just so you know.

The law took effect 1/1/04 and my daughter turns 9 next week. Well, we got rid of all the car seats years ago and we weren't about to buy another one for 2-1/2 months.

Besides, the actual need for a car/booster seat is dependant upon the child's HEIGHT. Neither their age nor weight have anything to do with the equation. It all comes down to where your vehicle's shoulder harness rests upon the child's body. Leave it to "bone-head" lawmakers to come up with that one.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by mudnuri
Okay I've just got to ask this...

Here in Vermont it's 8 years or 80lbs..which ever comes first..

My DD's 7 & 8 have never been in a car without a booster/carseat.. except the school bus...but anyway...I know that the reason VT has passed this law is because it is SAFEST for the DD's to be in these seats, until they reach the age/size listed above...right? Thats what these laws are for right?? SAFETY??

Okay- then if we agree on that, why would I even think of NOT using one in Florida just because florida's law is lax compared to ours?

I just dont get it...

Brandy

I get it. Each state has different rules so I guess each state thinks differently. So do parents. In MA it's 4 year old and under need booster seats/seatbelts. Both my girls are in those small booster seats.

But, I'm on vacation for only a week so if I choose to only bring a booster seat for my 4 year old and not my almost 8 year old to save my arms and back from breaking or to save room in the rental car, then it's my decision. I don't need any other parent making me feel guilt for it. As long as I'm not breaking the law, it's no concern for you. It's my business.

I always bring 2 booster seats that fit into one carseat bag and I check them as luggage, but this August, for our girls-only trip, we are bringing/inviting my sister and my 4 year old niece. Well, I'm still packing my 2 booster seats but I'm letting my niece use my 8 year old's booster seat. I feel NO GUILT was so ever. We are sharing a car and there just isn't room in the back for 3 booster seats. It's my decision and I feel fine with it.

Why don't we all mind our own business on this unless someone's actually breaking the law??

 

[mudnuri]

Why don't we all mind our own business on this unless someone's actually breaking the law??

My gosh- is that really necessary? I was asking a question, not trying to make someone feel guilty...what you do is what you do.......heaven for bid someone might not agree with you....this is not the debate board, so theres really no reason to be to testy....

Brandy

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by mudnuri
My gosh- is that really necessary? I was asking a question, not trying to make someone feel guilty...what you do is what you do.......heaven for bid someone might not agree with you....this is not the debate board, so theres really no reason to be to testy....

Brandy

I'm not debating. You're the one who asked "why would I even think of NOT using one in Florida just because florida's law is lax compared to ours?"

I just answered your question. I guess you didn't like my answer?

I don't believe for one second you weren't trying to make the OP feel guilty though.

Take your own advice about being 'testy'.

Ps...my reply was to everyone reading, not just you so no need to take it so personally.

 

[mudnuri]

Why don't we all mind our own business on this unless someone's actually breaking the law??

My gosh- is that really necessary? I was asking a question, not trying to make someone feel guilty...what you do is what you do.......heaven for bid someone might not agree with you....this is not the debate board, so theres really no reason to be to testy....

Brandy

 

[beattyfamily]

Too funny! You like repeating yourself?

 

[dcfromva]

.

 

[beattyfamily]

Florida Highway Patrol website

All children under the age of 18 must be buckled up while riding in any car, pickup truck, or van on Florida's roads, no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle.

Children through the age of 3 must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat.

Children ages 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.

 

[dcfromva]

beattyfamily,
That is a better link, I'm going to delete mine.

-DC