2014 Car Seat Law Changes

From all of us to all of you….Happy New Year!

As we start 2014, we bid farewell to the car seat recommendations of yore and usher in the following new requirements.

Beginning January 2014, Georgia’s 2001 car seat law, O.C.G.A. §40-8-76, is amended as follows:

1. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) restraint system should no longer be used when the child and car seat – combined – weigh more than 65lbs.; and
2. In lieu of the LATCH system, parents should start using the seat belt restraint

*If you do not fall into the category where you should discontinue LATCH, here is a link with instructional videos on how to properly install your child’s car seat and use the LATCH system:  http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/LATCH .  This link may also be helpful – even to veteran parents – who want to be sure they are properly installing the car seat(s) into their vehicle(s).

Let’s start with what hasn’t changed…

1. All children under eight years of age, riding in a passenger car, van, or pickup truck on a public road, street, or highway is required to be properly restrained in an appropriate child passenger seat or booster seat.  EXCEPTIONS:  Taxis and public transit
2. The car seat or booster seat MUST be in the rear seat of the car;

EXCEPTIONS TO ALL OF THIS:

1. If your child is over 4’9”, then no car seat or booster seat is required; or
2. If a physician provides a written statement that a child’s physical or medical condition prevents them from being placed or restrained as required by law.

Your safety and the safety of your children is, and always will be, important to us at Kaine Law, LLC.  Keeping you updated on new laws, or changes to existing ones, is part of our service to you.

For more information about this article, contact Kaine Law.