Verifying FL car seat law......

[Beth76]

In Florida, I'm finding that once a child is 6 years old, he/she does not need to be in a carseat or booster. Is this correct? Is there any talk about them changing this law? (In MO, it just changed to 8/80.) We will be in FL for a few days in November. Please no comments on what is safest. I just want to know what the law is.

 

[tjmw2727]

Florida law only requireds carseat until age 3.

http://flsenate.gov/Statutes/index..../SEC613.HTM&Title=->2003->Ch0316->Section+613

1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

TJ

 

[CastleCreations]

If you choose not to use a car seat for your 6 year old, just make sure they're in the back seat and buckled up properly and securely. Our major interstate is very unsafe, people are killed on it almost every day. My 5 year old, doesn't fit in a regular car seat, and the boosters, make her slide down behind it, so we don't use a car seat anymore. But the minute she takes off the seatbelt, or puts the strap over her head, I pull over and she gets a talking to. Do what you feel comfortable with, but be safe and enjoy your time in florida!!

 

[DisneyBaby2004]

.

 

[all4fun]

Define "need" ...

I would recommend taking a backless booster at the very least. They aren't that expensive, heavy, and don't take up much space. Remember while Florida state law might say a 6 yr can just use a seatbelt only, the laws of physics are the same everywhere. Riding in a car is statistically one of the greatest causes of accidental childhood deaths. I'm sure we all want to keep our LO's as safe as possible.

This thread HERE illustrates the point very well.

The 5-Step Test for seatbelt readiness:

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?

edit to add: sorry - I don't know why the OP is asking the question but wanted to post the 5-step test for anyone reading this thread.

 

[ellenmiele]

We've driven from NJ to FL several times and each time I like to check the car seat/booster seat laws in each state that we drive thru - just for my own curiosity - here in NJ it's the 8yr/80 lb rule and thats what we always went by the whole way down. But I was floored to see how lenient (lax?) some states are when it comes to child car safety. And how inconsistent it is from state to state. I read laws requiring some form of child safety seat from as old as 8 yrs all the way down to 1 yr (DH and I couldn't believe that - hope it's changed by now!). I'd like to think that parents in some of those states just use their own judgement and put toddlers and younger kids in safety seats even if it's not the law.

 

[ellenmiele]

This is a link to a chart of laws for all 50 states. Interesting reading. In SC can a 1yr old legally use a regular seat belt?


http://pediatrics.about.com/gi/dyna...airbags/OccupantProtectionFacts/appendixc.htm

 

[aclass]

Here is a different chart that was updated in Feb. It tells you whether the state law is age and/or weight (and height in some cases).

http://www.saferoads.org/issues/BoosterSeatLawChart.pdf

I think the push now is for 57" (4 foot 9 inches). Originally the push was for 80 pounds, since that was a little higher than the minimum weight the adult belts need to hold you back. But as kids started hitting that weight without being tall enough, the belt locks up against the neck instead of the shoulder.

 

[all4fun]

Correct, the push is for 4'9" or 57". It has more to do with how tall you are because you need to maintain proper posture behind the seatbelt. Even short adults have problems with seat belts fitting them right in some cars. Too bad they don't make boosters for adults.

 

[sha_lyn]

Too bad they don't make boosters for adults.

actually I believe they do.

 

[hollyb]

If your state says they need a car sear for safety why in the world would you even care what any other state says? I will never understand some people parenting skills.

 

[jodifla]

If your state says they need a car sear for safety why in the world would you even care what any other state says? I will never understand some people parenting skills.

Because I am raising my child, not the state.

Just because some lobbyist pushed a bill through a state, doesn't make it the gold standard.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Interesting charts. Not an issue for us now, because DS6 is still in his booster, but I'll have to remember the Missouri law because we drive through there to get home to Nebraska.

 

[LisaFB]

I can't believe the laws in some states! OMG!!!! AL says rear seat belts are only required for <6 years?! So a 7 year old can legally NOT wear a seatbelt?? ***??? I know NJ has one of the strictest carseat laws and we abide by the NJ law no matter what state we drive in since we feel it's safest for our children.

 

[Vickibean]

We're traveling with two 6-year olds this summer and I'm considering bringing along a phone book for each of them to sit on to position them better in the seats. Since FL doesn't have a booster seat law, we're not in any legal trouble, but our kids are still positioned better than without it. Also, it is disposable, so we don't have to lug it back on the plane with us.

 

[rt2dz]

I will respect the OP's request to not debate, to just go over the facts of the law, but IF you are not going to use the carseat/booster, then please, please at the very least buy a belt postioner so the belt will fit your child properly. Because there is NO DEBATE that if the seatbelt doesn't fit a child properly, in case of an accident, there can be some serious internal injuries.

 

[tjmw2727]

We're traveling with two 6-year olds this summer and I'm considering bringing along a phone book for each of them to sit on to position them better in the seats. Since FL doesn't have a booster seat law, we're not in any legal trouble, but our kids are still positioned better than without it. Also, it is disposable, so we don't have to lug it back on the plane with us.

Just fyi you can get a low back booster seat for @$15.00 and if you watch for sales under $10.00 that would do a much better job of keeing the kiddos in the right position. Its also going to be much more comfortable on a long trip and has cup holders too!

Something like this:
http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=8491BEM&CategoryID=1

They can fit into a duffle and don't count against your checked luggage allowacne (on most major airlines).

We bought one for travel when for our daughters and my youngest is still using one now since she is only about 48" and 50lbs even though she is 10.

HTH
TJ

 

[sha_lyn]

I wouldn't think that phone books would really be safe. There isn't anything to keep them from sliding forward.

When traveling, we've used something like these
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...igkw=seat+belt&kw=seat+belt&parentPage=search

 

[rt2dz]

I wouldn't think that phone books would really be safe. There isn't anything to keep them from sliding forward.

When traveling, we've used something like these
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...igkw=seat+belt&kw=seat+belt&parentPage=search

Yup, that is exactly the type of product I was talking about.

 

[rt2dz]

This is from Florida Department of Transportation:

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).

Penalty for violation is $60 and 3 points.

Never put the shoulder belt under a child's arm or behind the back, as this increases the risk of severe injury in a crash. Use a booster seat to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts for children once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats at about 40 pounds and around 4 years old. Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and 4'9" should ride in a belt positioning 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.