Automobile crashes
are the leading cause of death and injury to children in
the United States. In Pennsylvania each year,
approximately 7,000 children under five (5) years of age
are involved in crashes.
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Children under the age of four
(4) must be buckled into a federally-approved child passenger restraint
system (child safety seat) which must be secured to the motor vehicle by
the seat belt system (or using the motor vehicle's LATCH system,
available in newer motor vehicles), no matter where they ride in the
vehicle (front or back seat).
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Children ages four (4) and older,
but under the age of eight (8) must be buckled into a federally-approved
child booster seat, which must be secured to the motor vehicle by the
seat belt system, no matter where they ride in a motor vehicle (front or
back seat). Booster seats must be used in conjunction with lap and
shoulder belts.
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Children ages eight (8) and
older, but under age 18 must be buckled in a seat belt, no matter where
they ride in the motor vehicle (front or back seat.
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Drivers are responsible for
securing children into an approved child passenger restraint system and
ensuring children under age 18 are buckled up.
Children who weigh less than 20
pounds and are under one (1) year of age should ride in rear-facing
child safety seats. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends that children ride rear-facing for as long as
possible in rear-facing seats designed to accommodate weights up to 35
pounds. Never install a rear-facing child safety seat in the front
seat if an air bag is present. In a crash, the air bag will hit
the back of the child seat with
tremendous force, which will be transmitted to the infant's head causing
severe injury or death.
If
you are transporting children under age eight (8) who, by law, must ride
in federally-approved child safety seats or booster seats, read your
vehicle owner's manual and the directions that came with the seat so you
know how to tightly attach the seat to your vehicle's seat and how to
secure the children snuggly in their child seats.
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