Children in Texas must be at least 8 years old and 4’9″ tall to sit in the front seat of a car. This is because airbags are designed for adults and can be dangerous for children.
If your child is not yet 8 years old or 4’9″ tall, they must be secured in a child safety seat in the back seat. Once your child reaches 8 years old and 4’9″ tall, they can use the adult seat belt in the front seat.
However, it is still recommended that children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat, as it is the safest place for them to be in the event of a collision.
Types of Seats and Safety Devices for Kids
Many types of seat belts and safety devices are available to protect children while riding in a car. There are also state laws concerning child car seats you need to know. The Texas Department of Transportation lists the following seat belt rules for young children:
- When you are driving, any children in your car should be secured in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and size.
- Infants and children up to age 2 must use a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the size and weight limits set by the seat’s manufacturer.
- Children who have outgrown or are too old to use a rear-facing car seat should use a forward-facing car seat that includes a harness. Children can typically use forward-facing car seats until they are about 4-8 years old, depending on their size.
- Children who have outgrown or are too old to use forward-facing car seats should use a booster seat. The booster seat should include a belt-positioning system. A child should use a booster seat until they are big enough or old enough to use a standard seat belt. Children can usually use a standard seat belt when they are 8-12 years old or reach 4 feet, 9 inches in height. If you are unsure whether your child should use a booster seat, look at the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Safety Tips for Child Car Seats
Here are a few tips to best protect your children when they are riding in a car:
- The back seat is the safest place for a child, no matter their age.
- Never put a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat. Rear-facing seats can cause severe injuries if a child is in the front seat at the time of a collision.
- Never put a child in a used car seat. You have no idea if a car seat has been involved in a crash, and a broken car seat can be extremely dangerous to children.
- Make sure a child’s car seat is correctly installed. If you are not sure how to properly install a car seat, you can find a list of organizations that provide free car seat safety checks online.
- All car seats and booster seats should meet federal safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To make sure your child’s car seat complies, look for a sticker saying the seat meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213.
Contact Our Dallas, Texas, Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Guidance Today
If your child was injured in a car accident that someone else caused, contact Kraft & Associates, P.C. today to speak with an experienced Dallas car crash lawyer at no cost or obligation.
