State Car Seat Laws

[spare+a_pair]

Sorry for all of the conflict, but thanks to those who tried to help!

My DS's are big boys - they are 4 1/2 now and weigh 48 and 54 lbs, and are 46" and 48" tall. We are in the process of switching them to boosters because I just don't feel comfortable letting them ride without one - they just seem too little!

I was going to get rid of our full carseats, but didn't want to do that if we were going to need them in a few months. Thanks for the info, I now feel fine that they will be "legal" in thier boosters.

Oh - and I did try to google "state name Seat belt laws", and not all of them came up - hence my question!

 

[bumbershoot]

Sorry for all of the conflict, but thanks to those who tried to help!

My DS's are big boys - they are 4 1/2 now and weigh 48 and 54 lbs, and are 46" and 48" tall. We are in the process of switching them to boosters because I just don't feel comfortable letting them ride without one - they just seem too little!

I was going to get rid of our full carseats, but didn't want to do that if we were going to need them in a few months. Thanks for the info, I now feel fine that they will be "legal" in thier boosters.

Oh - and I did try to google "state name Seat belt laws", and not all of them came up - hence my question!

If you haven't bought the boosters yet, may I recommend (heavily) the Graco Nautilus? Not to use as a booster, but to use with the 5 point harness still, because really, we should ALL be in 5 point harnesses just like race care drivers. My guy is almost 5, is about 44 lbs and 44 inches, and he'll be in the Nautilus at least to the harness limit of 65 lbs (and if I feel he's still too young, I'll get the Regent to take him to 80 lbs). Ultimately it changes into a booster as well.

DS loves his Nautilus!

 

[bear74]

I know TX law is about to change. Kids will need booster seats till they are 4ft 9inches

 

[cuppycake]

I know TX law is about to change. Kids will need booster seats till they are 4ft 9inches

This does make more sense, as boosters are meant to put the child at the correct height for the seatbelt to fit him/her the proper way.

I second the recommendation for the Nautalis, btw. My 4 year old LOVES hers, and we plan on using it until she hits the weight limit for the 5 pt harness, then converting to a booster (it's a highback booster with side impact protection as well). It's just soooo much safer!!

Either way, I think it's awesome that you are keeping your little ones in at least a booster seat!! They really are too small to have the seatbelt hit them in the right places without one.

 

[Leajess99]

I would not worry about it much.
1- You are from TX and can just print out a TX law and leave it in your car.
2- Your plates say TX so you can tell them you are following TX state law.
3- I am sure outside of something very wacky... you will be fine.
Don't stress, I think you will be fine.

enjoy your trip

Actually, the above is quite incorrect. Just because you are from one state does not allow you to get away with breaking the law in another state. For example, here the car seat law used to be (up until earlier this year) 4 years or 40lbs in a booster seat but most of the states around us are 8 years or 80 lbs. That meant that when we left this state the child HAS to be in a booster seat. My youngest is always in a booster seat because I just feel safer with her in it and she has already had a whiplash injury and I am so glad it was not more serious from a drunk driver rear ending us. Her not being in the booster could have led to more severe injuries.

Ignorance of the law does not prevent you from being prosecuted.

 

[Leajess99]

SO I guess everyone who travels across state lines should make sure they have booster seats, car seats etc in the event in state A the law is for a 5 year old and state B the same law is for a 6 year old.

Give me a break, I am sure that the police are not going to have major issues if you are following the law of the state you are from while traveling through a different state.

I honestly hope that you don't drive to many other states with this attitude because I know in ALL the states I travel, in to include Florida, the police will ticket if you are not following THEIR law. Tennessee even has billboards along the road telling what their law is as well as having it at the welcome center. A child's safety is no joke and no state will just let you go violating their laws. As for the difference in state laws, if you are doing what is safest for the child by keeping them in the booster seat until they are of the right height for the adult seat belt than you would never have a problem. My 6 year old is content in the fact she will be in a booster until she is at least 8 years old. We travel a lot and I follow ALL the state laws. What you are saying is the same as telling someone that it is okay to do 70 through Ohio (speed limit is still 65 there) because that is the speed limit from the state you come from. Sorry but a law is a law and there are consequences for breaking the law.

 

[dhardawa]

Sorry for all of the conflict, but thanks to those who tried to help!

My DS's are big boys - they are 4 1/2 now and weigh 48 and 54 lbs, and are 46" and 48" tall. We are in the process of switching them to boosters because I just don't feel comfortable letting them ride without one - they just seem too little!

I was going to get rid of our full carseats, but didn't want to do that if we were going to need them in a few months. Thanks for the info, I now feel fine that they will be "legal" in thier boosters.

Oh - and I did try to google "state name Seat belt laws", and not all of them came up - hence my question!

Just for next time, the state police website for every state will have this information.

At the age and size of your sons, they should do fine in boosters assuming they are mature enough to sit correctly for every second of the trip.

 

[dhardawa]

If you haven't bought the boosters yet, may I recommend (heavily) the Graco Nautilus? Not to use as a booster, but to use with the 5 point harness still, because really, we should ALL be in 5 point harnesses just like race care drivers. My guy is almost 5, is about 44 lbs and 44 inches, and he'll be in the Nautilus at least to the harness limit of 65 lbs (and if I feel he's still too young, I'll get the Regent to take him to 80 lbs). Ultimately it changes into a booster as well.

DS loves his Nautilus!

I agree, harnessed in the Nautilus would be a good choice assuming they aren't too tall for it. Depending in where they carry their height, they may or may not fit. My daughter is about two inches taller than her boys, but she doesn't fit in the Nautilus harnessed even though she is well below the 65 lb weight limit. If they fit height wise, absolutely, harnessed would be better.