Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. From 2020 to 2021, the number of children under the age of 14 who died in automobile accidents in the United States increased by 8%, from 1,101 to 1,184. The number of children injured in traffic crashes increased by 17 percent, from 139,058 in 2020 to an estimated 162,298 in 2021.

State laws governing the use of child car seats have been enacted in Pennsylvania with the intention of enhancing the safety of children who are transported in motor vehicles. Traffic violations and penalties will result from violating these regulations; however, these consequences pale in comparison to the catastrophic injuries that unrestrained children could potentially suffer in a car accident.

Additional information on the car seat laws in Pennsylvania will be provided in the article that follows.

For assistance regarding Pennsylvania car seat laws and if you or your child were involved in a car accident, please contact the offices of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law. Our Pennsylvania auto accident attorneys are available around-the-clock.

Pennsylvania Law Mandates That All Child Passengers Use Seat Belts or Car Seats

Guardians and parents are held accountable by the state of Pennsylvania for the children they transport. Car seat laws vary by state and penalize motorists who fail to adequately restrain children in their vehicles. The car seat law was recently updated to match the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s current guidelines.

All children under the age of eight are required by Pennsylvania law to be securely fastened in the back seat using a child safety seat or booster seat. Those who are eight years old or older, 57 inches tall, or 80 pounds are allowed to use the lap and shoulder seat belt, provided that it fits properly. Violators shall be subject to a $125 fine as a primary offense for failing to comply with the Child Passenger Protection Law.

Additionally, the law mandates that you provide your child with the appropriate car seat in accordance with their age, weight, and height. Simply installing any car seat for your child is not enough. In the months since the implementation of the Child Passenger Protection Law, law enforcement officials in Pennsylvania have issued thousands of fines.

The state laws governing the safety of child passengers differ, so it is essential that you are familiar with the laws in Pennsylvania.

• Birth-2 Years: Must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.
• Birth-4 Years: Must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle.
• 4-8 Years: Must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat.
• 8 Years and Older: Must be in a seat belt.

Pennsylvania Car Seat Guidelines

State law in Pennsylvania specifies the most secure methods of transporting a minor in a motor vehicle. The NHTSA offers additional recommendations taking into account your child's age and size in addition to the previously mentioned requirements set forth by Pennsylvania law.

• Select a car seat based on your child's age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and make sure to use it every time.
• Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer's instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
• To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer's height and weight requirements.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

Birth - 2 Years

By law, children under the age of 2 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are two types of rear-facing car seats:

• Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing.
• Convertible and all-in-one car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

2-4 Years

Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep them safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, they are ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.

4-7 Years

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it's time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

8-12 Years

Keep your child in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly, the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: Your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.

When transferring a child from one system to another, parents must comply with both Pennsylvania law and the manufacturer's instructions for the car seat. In Pennsylvania, complimentary child safety seat checkpoints are accessible to parents who need assistance installing car seats and have any uncertainties regarding these requirements. All children must travel in the back seat unless the vehicle is uniquely equipped without one. Under these circumstances, the minor is permitted to ride in the passenger seat, provided that the airbag is deactivated.

Common Mistakes That Parents Make With Their Child’s Car Seat

For car seats to offer the intended protection for a child, they must be installed correctly. The following are some of the most frequent errors that parents make when installing car seats for their children:

• Payments for Lost Wages: Parents should only use a car seat for six years. After this amount of time, wear and tear can impact the effectiveness of the car seat.
• Not buckling the child tight enough: While your child should not be uncomfortable in their car seat, failing to secure the straps enough can be extremely dangerous. Pay extra attention to your child’s restraints during the winter. Snowsuits and puffy jackets may allow the belts to be too loose.
• Adjusting the seat as your child grows: As a child gets bigger, their car seat will need to be adjusted for comfort and security. Make sure that the car seat arm straps fit securely.
• Allowing a child to sit in the front seat: While your child may want to ride in the front seat, it is very dangerous in the event of a car accident. Airbags can kill a child who is riding in the front seat of the car.
• Improper car seat installation: If you do not install a car seat correctly, it can be very dangerous. If you are not sure whether your child’s car seat is installed correctly in your vehicle, you can have a professional at a local car seat check and fitting station.

Child Safety Seat Loan Programs in Pennsylvania

In numerous counties throughout the state, loan programs assist families with limited resources in complying with the law and ensuring the protection of their children while riding in vehicles by providing child safety seats. Seat types that may be available through loan programs include booster seats, convertible seats, infant seats, and combination seats. To locate a local loan program, consult the car seat loan directory.

Brandon J. Broderick is Ready and Available to Assist You After a PA Car Accident or With Questions Related to PA Car Seat Laws

Do not hesitate to call us for a free consultation if you or your child have been hurt in a car accident in Pennsylvania. We are available day or night and are ready to assist you. The attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick are caring and compassionate and will work hard to protect your rights and recover the compensation that you are entitled to after an accident in PA.