Texas Child Safety Seats

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of accidental death for young children. Using approved Texas child safety seats, which are held in place by the seat belt system, is very important.

In an update from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it has been stated that children should now ride in rear-facing car seats until an older age than previously suggested. Both organizations now recommend children that are two years old or younger ride in rear-facing car seats. One-year-old children are five times less likely to be injured in a crash if they are in a rear-facing car seat than a forward-facing seat. Children of such a young age have relatively large heads and small necks so, in a front-facing car seat the force of a crash can jerk the child's head causing spinal cord injuries.

Children who have grown too big for front-facing car seats, but have not yet reached a height where the lap-shoulder belt fits properly should ride with booster seats so the lap-shoulder belt fits properly. Children who have reached a height of 4 feet 9 inches no longer need a booster seat.

Based on evidence from crashes, both organizations also suggest that children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.

Car seats always have recommended weights printed on them. Parents should always find a car seat for their child that accommodates their child's weight. In recent years, most car seat manufacturers have increased the amount of weight car seats can hold to accommodate up to 30 pounds.

In Texas, parents who fail to properly restrain their children in a child safety seat can receive two points on their driving record for traffic citations of this safety law violation. These points stay on a driver's record for three years. If six or more points are accrued then the driver will be required to pay an annual fine for as long as six or more points remain on the driver's record.

Parents who are issued these citations may also be required to take a special child safety-seat class in order to dismiss such a violation; however, these punishments are minute in comparison to the cost of losing a child because of not taking the proper precautions. Get familiar with the Texas car seat laws, and drive safe!

Information provided by a TX Defensive Driving Class - Comedydriving.com