Child Passenger Safety

Georgia’s Child Passenger Safety Laws:

O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76 Safety Belts Required As Equipment; Safety Restraints For Children

(a) No new private passenger automobile manufactured after January 1, 1964, shall be sold to the general public in this state unless such automobile shall be equipped with two sets of safety belts for the front seat thereof. The safety belts may be installed by the manufacturer prior to delivery to the dealer, or they may be installed by the dealer.

(b) (1) Every driver who transports a child under eight years of age in a passenger automobile, van, or pickup truck, other than a taxicab as defined by Code Section 33-34-5.1 or a public transit vehicle as defined by Code Section 16-5-20, shall, while such motor vehicle is in motion and operated on a public road, street, or highway of this state, provide for the proper restraint of such child in a child passenger restraining system appropriate for such child's height and weight and approved by the United States Department of Transportation under provisions of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 in effect on January 1, 1983, or at the time of manufacture, subject to the following specific requirements and exceptions:

(A) Any such child weighing at least 40 pounds may be secured by a lap belt when:

(i) The vehicle is not equipped with both lap and shoulder belts; or

(ii) Not including the driver's seat, the vehicle is equipped with one or more lap and shoulder belts that are all being used to properly restrain other children;

(B) Any such child shall be properly restrained in a rear seat of the motor vehicle consistent with the requirements of this paragraph. If the vehicle has no rear seating position appropriate for correctly restraining a child or all appropriate rear seating positions are occupied by other children, any such child may be properly restrained in a front seat consistent with the requirements of this paragraph;

(C) A driver shall not be deemed to be complying with the provisions of this paragraph unless any child passenger restraining system required by this paragraph is installed and being used in accordance with the manufacturer's directions for such system; and

(D) The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply when the child's parent or guardian either obtains a physician's written statement that a physical or medical condition of the child prevents placing or restraining him or her in the manner required by this paragraph. If the parent or guardian can show the child's height is over 4 feet and 9 inches, such child shall be restrained in a safety belt as required in Code Section 40-8-76.1.

Georgia Booster Seat Law:

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/fullpanel/uploads/files/2011boosterseatchangesga.pdf

Recommendations:

Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, then choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it every time.
Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors and a tether, if available.
To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

Car Seat Recommendations:

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/fullpanel/uploads/files/carseatrecs.pdf

Correct Installation:

According to the National Highway of Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly!

Read the instructions
Reference your vehicles manual
Position car seats in the back seat
Secure tightly
Connect the tether strap. All child safety seats and vehicles manufactured after 2002 must be compatible with the LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.

NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN OR AROUND VEHICLES!

Within minutes a young child can begin to suffer the life-threatening symptoms of heat stroke.
Vehicles are stolen with children alone inside quite frequently.
Power windows have killed or injured thousands of children.
Children can accidently set the car in motion.
Drivers have a difficult time seeing small children when placing the vehicle in reverse.
Your child could be abducted.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/campaigns/child-passenger-safety/

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/campaigns/child-passenger-safety/ocga-40-8-76/

Child Passenger Safety

Georgia’s Child Passenger Safety Laws:

O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76 Safety Belts Required As Equipment; Safety Restraints For Children

(A) Any such child weighing at least 40 pounds may be secured by a lap belt when:

(i) The vehicle is not equipped with both lap and shoulder belts; or

(ii) Not including the driver's seat, the vehicle is equipped with one or more lap and shoulder belts that are all being used to properly restrain other children;

(C) A driver shall not be deemed to be complying with the provisions of this paragraph unless any child passenger restraining system required by this paragraph is installed and being used in accordance with the manufacturer's directions for such system; and

Georgia Booster Seat Law:

Recommendations:

Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, then choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it every time.

Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors and a tether, if available.

To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.

Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

Car Seat Recommendations:

Correct Installation:

According to the National Highway of Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly!

Read the instructions

Reference your vehicles manual

Position car seats in the back seat

Secure tightly

Connect the tether strap. All child safety seats and vehicles manufactured after 2002 must be compatible with the LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.

NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN OR AROUND VEHICLES!

Within minutes a young child can begin to suffer the life-threatening symptoms of heat stroke.

Vehicles are stolen with children alone inside quite frequently.

Power windows have killed or injured thousands of children.

Children can accidently set the car in motion.

Drivers have a difficult time seeing small children when placing the vehicle in reverse.

Your child could be abducted.