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 Child Passenger Protection

Child Restraint Law

Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death and injury to children in the United States.  In Pennsylvania each year, approximately 7,000 children under five (5) years of age are involved in crashes.

• Children under the age of four (4) must be buckled into a federally-approved child passenger restraint system (child safety seat) which must be secured to the motor vehicle by the seat belt system (or using the motor vehicle's LATCH system, available in newer motor vehicles), no matter where they ride in the vehicle (front or back seat).
• Children ages four (4) and older, but under the age of eight (8) must be buckled into a federally-approved child booster seat, which must be secured to the motor vehicle by the seat belt system, no matter where they ride in a motor vehicle (front or back seat).  Booster seats must be used in conjunction with lap and shoulder belts.
• Children ages eight (8) and older, but under age 18 must be buckled in a seat belt, no matter where they ride in the motor vehicle (front or back seat.
• Drivers are responsible for securing children into an approved child passenger restraint system and ensuring children under age 18 are buckled up.

Children who weigh less than 20 pounds and are under one (1) year of age should ride in rear-facing child safety seats.  In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing for as long as
possible in rear-facing seats designed to accommodate weights up to 35 pounds.  Never install a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat if an air bag is present.  In a crash, the air bag will hit the back of the child seat with
tremendous force, which will be transmitted to the infant's head causing severe injury or death.

If you are transporting children under age eight (8) who, by law, must ride in federally-approved child safety seats or booster seats, read your vehicle owner's manual and the directions that came with the seat so you know how to tightly attach the seat to your vehicle's seat and how to secure the children snuggly in their child seats.