child car seat laws

[Sandracreevey]

Anybody know what the laws are regarding car seats for children in orlando - do you have to have booster seats for kids of all ages? Have 9, 7 and 5 yr old.

 

[scottish mum]

I.m sure if they are over 4 they don't need anything, but if you are hiring a car I would be inclined to take boosters for the youngest one and maybe the 7yr old too. If its only for taxis several taxis provide them for you and you also can't use boosters on buses.
I just think if I wouldn't put them in a car at home without one then why do it just because you are on holiday.

 

[Cyrano]

We have decided to follow the same practice as we do at home.. safety first and all that
Given the cost of hiring seats we decided to buy booster seats to take out with us and leave if necessary

 

[TheBlundells]

We bought 2 booster seats in walmart a few years ago. Much cheaper than here and much cheaper then renting from hire cars companies.

 

[islandmum]

I just think if I wouldn't put them in a car at home without one then why do it just because you are on holiday.

Precisely ..... and seeing as we had a huge accident last year in which my boys escaped unscathed due to their seats - I would never drive without them. My oldest is 6, will be 7 on our trip in Sept and will still be using a full size car seat with side protection, I no longer take any chances.

 

[Hasil72]

Don't know about the UK but in the US every state has it's own laws. Where I live, children under the age of 8 need to be in a safety seat of some sort even if it's a "booster" type seat. Here's what I found for Florida.

Hope it helps.

Have a great trip!

Passengers under the age of five need to be secured in a government-approved child restraint or safety seat. Children under three years old must be seated in either an approved infant carrier or child safety seat.

Children should always be placed in the back seat, as it offers the most protection in a crash, and also avoids dangers associated with front-seat air bags.

 

[thehails]

I agree with what the PP has said, we have been told that children 5 and under need a booster / car seat. My youngest is 6 and is using a booster seat back in the UK so we automatically decided to use one for him here. We didn't want the hassle of taking one with us so we just went on Walmart on arrival here and got one for $17.

 

[Elise79]

Found this information from Broward Sheriff Office via a google search!

Child Car Seat Requirements

Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier (child safety seat) or in a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4 - 5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. If a safety belt does not fit the child correctly, a booster set should be used to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats (generally at about 40 pounds and 4 years old). Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and under 4'9" in height should ride in a booster seat.

Infants must ride rear-facing until they are at least one year old and weigh 20 pounds or more. Rear-facing, the infant should be semi-upright at an angle or no more than 45 degrees. A forward-facing older child should ride sitting upright.

Never place a child in a child safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger air bag. Always use the back seat.

Violation of the child restraint law carries a fine of $60 and 3 points on the driving record.

Interesting for me as over here DD is almost big enough for a forward facing seat but means we need to keep her in her rearward seat till be get back.