- House Bills 4511 and 4512 which revised the previous child safety restraint requirements
- Children must be in a rear facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old or have reached the height and weight limit set by the manufacturer, once meeting that requirement, children are then expected to be in a forward facing car seat until they are 5 or meets the height and weight limit.
- Children who are at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall are required to ride in a booster seat.
- In the attached story, I spoke with a local pediatrician, Brittany Tayler and Lansing Fire Chief, Brian Sturdivant about how these laws will affect parents
As we start the new year, a new law will cause some changes to car seat requirements.
Asya Lawrence, your neighborhood reporter, is here with a deeper look at what parents and caregivers should know.
“Motor vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of death among children under the age of 18,” said Brittany Tayler, an MSU Pediatrician.
A chilling statistic that many of our state and local agencies, including the Lansing Fire Department, have been working to raise awareness about.
“We have a renewed sense of being intentional about reducing community risks,” said Brian Sturdivant, Lansing Fire Chief.
Supporting House Bills 4511 and 4512, which revise previous child safety restraint requirements, is one example.
“Before these laws were not reflecting the use of a booster seat as well as how long the car seat should be rear facing or forward facing so now its up to standards that have been set across the United States.” Tayler said.
Children must now use a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old or have reached the manufacturer’s height and weight limit. Once that requirement is met, children are expected to use a forward-facing car seat until they are 5 years old or have met the manufacturer’s height and weight limit.
Finally, children who are at least eight years old or four feet nine inches tall must ride in a booster seat.
“I hope that these recommendations will provide more clarity and make it easier for parents and caregivers to decide which car seat to purchase. Another important aspect of the law is that there is no penalty for getting the wrong one. Tayler said.
In fact, Lansing Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant informs me that, in conjunction with these new laws, the department will offer a car seat technician program.
“We will offer specific fire house locations and days and times where the community members can schedule an appointment to come in and either have their car seat checked for proper installation and/or installed.” Sturdivant spoke.
The car and booster seat laws are now in effect, and Lansing Fire Department’s car seat technician program is expected to begin within the next three weeks.
