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One of the most common questions parents and caregivers have regarding their child’s car seat is, “Is it safe?”. While all car seats rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are safe, car seats do differ in ease of use. The NHTSA provides an Ease of Use rating system for consumers to make decisions about different features of the product, using a five-star scale. For further information visit: NHTSA Ease of Use Ratings Website

Another common question we receive is regarding Georgia car seat laws and what is legal placement of a car seat in the vehicle. In Georgia, there is legislation to ensure children are riding in child passenger restraint systems while in a passenger motor vehicle. According to O.C.G.A. 40-8-76 (Georgia Code) children under eight years of age must ride in an approved child restraint system and the driver shall provide proper restraint of a child in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for such child’s height and weight and is approved by the U.S. government. Additionally, it is very important for parents and caregivers to understand that while the law is important to know, it is also critical to understand what is best practice for children who ride in car seats and knowing the appropriate car seat to use.

Click here for more information on best practices for children who ride in car seats

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO 12 YEARS

Child Passenger Safety Recommendations from GOHS

 

Common & specific questions:

Can a child ride in the front seat of a single cab truck?
If a driver only has a single cab truck to transport children in, the driver must follow the instructions for their vehicle when it comes to securing car seats in the vehicle. Additionally, children who ride in car seats that are rear facing, cannot ride in front of an active air bag, so it is imperative to verify specific instructions from the vehicle manufacturer.

Can a child ride in the front seat?
According to GA law, children under eight years of age must ride in the rear vehicle seat. One of the exceptions in the law regarding front seat passengers is that if all available seating positions are occupied, a child can sit in the front, if they are under eight years of age – but again a child who rides rear facing, should not ride up front. Best practice is for all children under age 13 years to ride in the rear seat.

Why are booster seats necessary?
Children Using Booster Seats Are 59 Percent Less Likely To Be Injured In A Crash Than Those Using A Seat Belt Alone.

 

More Frequently Asked Questions about Child Passenger Safety can be found here…

Booster Seat Law Georgia

Georgia booster seat law changes in Spanish

 

 

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