Florida Car seat law

[firemouse]

The car seat thread made me think, what is the car seat law in FL? My DS needs a booster seat in Indiana, so does he need on down there (I can't say he is in on 100%, we have only one and if I have my truck then my DW may have the seat with her... He is always in a seat belt though...)
Any help would be great!!!

Eric

 

[Befferk]

How old is he?

Beth

 

[jodifla]

In Florida, they have to be in separate seats until they are 3. After that, they can be in a booster or use a seat belt.

 

[POB14]

Straight from Florida's DOT website:

All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613).

 

[waspnest]

A 4 year old can be in a seatbelt in FL? Here they just passed a law making a booster a requirement until 8 years and 80 pounds (it might be OR, but I'm thinking they have to be both 8 and 80 lbs. to use just a seatbelt).

 

[firemouse]

I am sorry I didn't list DS age, he is 6 and about 60 lbs.

 

[jodifla]

A 4 year old can be in a seatbelt in FL? Here they just passed a law making a booster a requirement until 8 years and 80 pounds (it might be OR, but I'm thinking they have to be both 8 and 80 lbs. to use just a seatbelt).

yes. Florida has rejected that law several times.

 

[tjmw2727]

A 4 year old can be in a seatbelt in FL? Here they just passed a law making a booster a requirement until 8 years and 80 pounds (it might be OR, but I'm thinking they have to be both 8 and 80 lbs. to use just a seatbelt).

Yes, FL law is pretty weak IMHO whereas MA was 8 and 80 which was a bit unfair for my 55" 62lb 11yo who would have had to still ride in a booster! (And to add would not have been the safest alternative as she was clearly to tall!) She fits fine in a shoulder harness in my car with an adjustable harness. Now we live in DE and its until age 6 for a CRS or a booster however my very small 8yo still uses a backless booster. The lap shoulder fits her better, he knees don't yet fit the seat front and she is more comfortable in the booster.

I wish there was more information/education available to parents to keep the kids safe an less reliance on "what laws in each state". IMHO whatever you do at home because it is the safest for your child you should do when you travel.

I still see kids unrestrained in cars and hanging out the windows afterschool!

/rant -
TJ

 

[JennsBabySky]

The car seat thread made me think, what is the car seat law in FL? My DS needs a booster seat in Indiana, so does he need on down there (I can't say he is in on 100%, we have only one and if I have my truck then my DW may have the seat with her... He is always in a seat belt though...)
Any help would be great!!!

Eric

Bring your booster. Or better yet, please buy another. If you have high seat backs, you could buy a $15 low back booster and these are great for travel. They are nice and small and perfect to have around for your ds's friends. A seat belt just won't cut it for a 6 year old, it is designed for an adult. That seat belt is just not going to provide adequate protection in a crash. Personally, unless you are truly living paycheck to paycheck, I just don't understand the urge to cut $15 from your budget for a piece of safety gear.

But I do think it is terrific that you are looking into the issue. The laws of physics don't change from state to state, so I'd bring that booster.

 

[ducklite]

Ah Florida where barefoot kids can still ride in the back of a pickup truck and wave at the passing police car.

Anne

 

[littlelaura]

we are travelling with a four year old, we are staying offsite and not hiring a car as we have pre-booked shuttle vouchers for MEARS. i'm quite relieved that he will be able to just use a setbelt, as carrying a booster around everywhere would have just been a pain, and i'm sure that it would not have fit into any lockers

 

[tlbwriter]

Ah Florida where barefoot kids can still ride in the back of a pickup truck and wave at the passing police car.

Yes, and isn't it wonderful that the laws of physics have such great respect for Florida laws?

Parents, your children need a booster until they can pass the 5-step test:

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!

Don't think of state booster laws as last word on safety. Think of them as the bare minimum - or even less than the minimum. For example, Florida allows students to legally drop out of school once they turn 16. Is that appropriate? Is that what's best for your child? Most of us would say "Hell no." So why should we let the state law tell us when our children stop needing booster seats?

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm picking on Florida. I'm not. Other states have similar laws. I'm just saying that we shouldn't assume that the legal minimum is what's best for our children.

 

[justplaingoofy]

MA laws are somewhat "out there".. Requirements in MA are in a booster seat until 80lbs. (I weighed that in the 8th grade)!!!

I can just see myself getting out of a booster seat while pulled up in front of school.

 

[tlbwriter]

MA laws are somewhat "out there".. Requirements in MA are in a booster seat until 80lbs. (I weighed that in the 8th grade)!!!

I can just see myself getting out of a booster seat while pulled up in front of school.

Yeah, that's why the 5-step test is so much better than laws based on age and weight. Too bad lawmakers considered it "too complicated" to use as the basis for a law. Seems pretty darn easy to me!