New Car Seat Laws Effective September 1st – Requirements & Penalties

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New NJ Car Seat LawsNew NJ Car Seat Laws

New Jersey parents will seat their children in cars according to new laws as of September 1 or face penalties. Parents and caregivers who don’t abide by the latest requirements will face fines of between $50 and $75.

As of September 1, babies must stay in rear-facing car seats with five-point harnesses until they’re 2 years old and weigh 30 pounds. Older children must stay in five-point harness car seats or booster seats until they’re 8 years old and/or 57 inches tall.  Under New Jersey law, every child under age 8 riding in a motor vehicle with seat belts must be in either a car seat or a booster seat. (School buses are exempt.)

The new state law — which was passed by the legislature in May — is now in line with guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Lawmakers said New Jersey’s old car seat laws were vague and antiquated.

“With advances in research and car safety technology, recommendations to protect children in motor vehicles are always changing. Just look how different things were just a decade or two ago,” said Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, one of the sponsors of the legislation. “Incorporating the latest recommendations will help ensure that we’re doing all we can to protect young children in automobiles.”

The AAP and other experts say the chance of a small child dying in a car crash is reduced significantly by using a rear-facing car seat as long as possible.

Previously, the penalty for improper use of a car seat was $20. In addition, a provision of the law states that  you can no longer get out of a ticket by claiming that you were following the manufacturer’s weight and age recommendations for your child’s car seat.

The state encourages parents and caregivers to have their car seats checked for proper installation.  This service is free and available here.

A guide to the new law:

Birth to age 2: A child under age 2 and under 30 lbs. must be in a rear-facing car seat with a five-point harness. Once a child reaches either age 2 or 30 lbs., the car seat can be turned around to face forward.

Ages 2 to 4: Children must remain in either a rear-facing or a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness in the back seat of a vehicle at least until they are 4 years old or 40 lbs.

Ages 4 to 8: Children must remain in a booster seat in the back seat of a vehicle until they are at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall. Once they reach that age or height, they can use regular adult seat belts.

Front seats: If a vehicle doesn’t have a back seat, a child can ride in the front seat in a car seat or a booster seat. However,  the vehicle’s passenger-side airbag must be shut off if a baby or toddler is using a rear-facing car seat strapped into the front seat of the vehicle.

If you are curious about the car seat laws in another state, click here for an interactive map.  To learn more about choosing a car seat, click here.