Georgia Child Passenger Safety Law
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The following information was provided by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). Please visit their website www.gahighwaysafety.org for more updated information.
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| Rear-Facing Car Seat |
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| For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds.
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| Forward-Facing Car Seat |
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| When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds).
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| Booster Car Seat |
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| Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4'9" tall).
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| Car Seat Belt |
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| When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4'9" tall) they can use the adult seat belt in the back seat, if it fits properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest).
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GEORGIA CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY LAW (40-8-76)
*All children under the age of six (6) must be properly restrained in a federally approved child restraint appropriate for their height and weight.
*All children under the age of six (6) must ride in a rear seating position of the vehicle.
*Children ages six through seventeen (6-17) must be properly restrained by a safety belt in all seating positions.
*Children riding in licensed child care vans (15 passenger vans) must be restrained properly according to Georgia law.
*Child restraints must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE LAW
*Children riding on school buses, multi-function school activity buses, taxi cabs and public transit are not required to be restrained in a child restraint.
*Children 40 pounds and over may be restrained by a lap belt only if a lap and shoulder belt is not available or all are being occupied to properly secure other children.
*Children may be transported in the front seat if there is no rear seating position available or all rear seats are occupied by other children.
*Children who are under six (6) but over 4'9" in height may be restrained in a safety belt only as required in code section 40-8-76.1
*Children may be exempt from this law if the parent or guardian has a physician's written statement that a physical or medical condition prevents proper restraint.
BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS
*Always read and follow child restraint instructions and the vehicle owner's manual.
*Children age twelve (12) and under should ride in the back seat of the vehicle whenever possible. The back seat is the safest position for children.
*Child restraints should be installed with no more than one inch of movement from side to side or front to back (tested at the belt path).
*Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the upper weight limit or height allowed by the seat.
*At a minimum, children should ride rear-facing until at least one year AND 20 pounds.
*Rear facing child restraints should never be placed in front of an active airbag.
*Children should remain in a booster seat until the safety belts fits them correctly across the hips and collar bone.
*Expectant mothers should always wear their safety belts.
*ALWAYS BUCKLE UP! CHILD RESTRAINTS AND SAFETY BELTS SAVE LIVES!
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Raising Safe Kids:
One Stage at a Time
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