A Pennsylvania Law, effective August 2016, requires a child younger than two years of age to be secured in a rear-facing car seat. A rear-facing car seat is to be used until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.
PA Child Passenger Safety Laws Basics:
- Children from birth up to age 8 must be secured in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.
- A child younger than two years of age should ride rear-facing until the child outgrows the maximum weight and/or height limits of the car seat.
- Children ages 8-18 must be secured in a vehicle’s seat belt system
Best Practice Guidelines for Child Passenger Safety:
- Keep children 1 to 3 years of age in a REAR-FACING car seat for as long as possible – it’s the safest way to ride.
- Children older than 8 years of age and under 4ft., 9 in. tall should use a booster seat.
- The back seat is the safest place for children under the age of 13.
- Families are advised to have their child’s car seat checked by a CPS technician for proper installation and use.
To schedule a free car seat check-up with a certified CPS technician who can help you properly install your child’s car seat, contact Safe Kids Pennsylvania. For more information about the car seat laws in Pennsylvania, visit the PA Dept. of Transportation website.