Child safety seat  

  

In New Jersey, motor vehicle laws regarding child safety seats are designed to protect children in the event of a car crash. These laws specify the requirements for child restraint systems based on a child’s age, weight, and height. Here are the key aspects of New Jersey’s child seat laws:

1. REAR-FACING SEATS (INFANTS AND TODDLERS)

• Children under 2 years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more, or are 40 inches or taller.
• Rear-facing seats provide the best protection for infants and toddlers because they distribute the crash forces across the child’s body, reducing the risk of head, neck, and spine injuries.

2. FORWARD-FACING SEATS (TODDLERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN)

• Children who are 2 to 4 years old (or until they outgrow the rear-facing seat by height or weight) should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness system.
• This seat should be used until the child reaches the maximum weight or height limit for the seat, which is typically 40 to 65 pounds, depending on the manufacturer.

3. BOOSTER SEATS (OLDER CHILDREN)

• Children ages 4 to 8 who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat should use a booster seat, which helps position the vehicle’s seat belt correctly across the child’s lap and shoulder.
• Children must use a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are at least 57 inches tall (4 feet 9 inches).
• A booster seat is essential to ensure that the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly across the child’s chest and lap, which reduces the risk of injury in a crash.

4. SEAT BELTS (OLDER CHILDREN)

• Children 8 years old and older who are at least 57 inches tall (or have outgrown the booster seat) may transition to using the vehicle’s seat belt, but the seat belt must fit properly across their lap and shoulder.
• The lap belt should lie low across the child’s hips (not the stomach), and the shoulder belt should cross the chest and rest on the shoulder (not the neck).

5. GENERAL RULES FOR CAR SEATS

• All children under the age of 8 must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle.
• New Jersey law requires that children under 2 years old be placed in a rear-facing car seat, and the seat must be properly secured.
• It is illegal to transport a child without the appropriate child safety restraint in place.

6. FINES AND PENALTIES

• Failing to comply with New Jersey’s child seat laws can result in fines. The penalties for not using the proper child restraint system include fines and the possibility of points on the driver’s license.
• The fine for violating the child safety seat law is typically $50 to $75 for the first offense, but it may increase with subsequent violations.

7. CORRECT INSTALLATION

• New Jersey encourages parents and caregivers to ensure child safety seats are installed correctly. Misuse or improper installation of child car seats is a common issue that reduces their effectiveness.
• The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety offers car seat safety check events and resources to help ensure proper installation.

 

Following New Jersey's motor vehicle laws for child safety seats is crucial in ensuring children are protected while traveling. Properly using rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats based on a child’s age, size, and weight is the best way to reduce the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash. Parents and caregivers should also take advantage of available resources to ensure that their child’s seat is installed correctly.