Child Car Seats

      Are you and your child passengers properly restrained while driving?

      Motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. Four children, 12 and under, were killed and 98 received incapacitating injuries in motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts in 2002.

      When properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%.

      Please review the information below to make every ride a safe one for the children in your care.

-Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law-

Chapter 90 Section 7AA, effective on April 9, 1997.

      The law states that ALL children under the age of 5 and weighing less than 40 lbs. must be in a properly installed child safety seat.

Infants and small children ride in car seats until:

       1.  They are at least 5 years old   AND
       2.  They weigh over 40 lbs.

-  The types of car seats permitted include federally approved infant, toddler, convertible and booster seats.

-  Children who weigh more than 40 pounds but are under 5 years old must ride in a booster seat.

-  Children who are 5 years of age or older, and also weigh more than 40 pounds, must wear a seat belt that is properly adjusted.

-  Federally approved booster seats are permitted and recommended for children who weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.

-  Children using the vehicle seat belt only should not place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back.

      This law applies to children riding in all types of privately owned vehicles, however: vehicles for hire, including taxi cabs, it is the responsibility of the child's parent or caregiver to provide the car seat for use in taxi cab. The driver of a taxi will be fined if he/she does not provide a car seat.

The law does not apply to:

• Children in school buses.
• Children riding in a vehicle made before July 1, 1966 that does not have safety belts.
• Children physically unable to use either a conventional car seat or a child restraint specifically designed for children with special needs. Inability to use a child restraint of either type must be certified in writing by physician.

     The safest place for children is in the back seat.  All infants should remain rear-facing until at least one year of age and at least 20 lbs.

     Never place a rear-facing child safety seat in a front passenger seat with an air bag.

     FINE:  The driver will be fined $25.00 for each unrestrained child passenger.

     For more information call the Injury Prevention and Control Program, MA Dept. of Public Health, toll free at 1-800-227-SAFE.