Child Car Seat Laws in Texas
Car accidents remain a serious safety risk for children in Texas. To help protect young passengers, the state has specific laws requiring children to be properly restrained when they ride in a motor vehicle. Failing to follow these rules can lead to fines and, more importantly, put a child at unnecessary risk.
Whether you are a new parent or simply want to make sure you are up to date on the current requirements, learning about Texas’s car seat laws is well worth your time. Continue on for the information you should be aware of.
What Does Texas Law Require?
Under Texas Transportation Code § 545.412, any child younger than 8 years old must be secured in a child passenger safety seat system while riding in a passenger vehicle. There is one exception to this rule: if the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches, a car seat is no longer legally required, even if the child has not yet turned 8.
The law also requires the seat to be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Each seat comes with specific limits for height and weight, along with installation guidelines. Using a seat outside of those limits may violate state law even if the child is technically in a restraint.
To qualify under Texas law, the seat must meet federal crash-testing standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This applies to rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats.
A violation of this statute is a misdemeanor. Fines range from $25 to $250, and the driver is responsible for making sure a child covered by the law is properly secured.
What Car Seat Does the NHTSA Recommend?
Texas law does not break its car seat requirements down by specific age ranges. Instead, drivers must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the child passenger safety seat being used. The NHTSA also provides safety recommendations based on a child’s age and size.
Here is how the NHTSA recommends progressing through car seat stages:
- Rear-facing seat: Children should remain rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
- Forward-facing seat with harness: Once a child outgrows a rear-facing seat, they should move into a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether and remain there until reaching the seat’s height or weight limit.
- Booster seat: After outgrowing a forward-facing seat with a harness, a child should use a booster until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly.
- Seat belt only: Once the vehicle’s seat belt fits correctly without a booster, the child can transition to using the seat belt alone.
These recommendations may require a child to continue using a particular type of restraint even after reaching an age commonly associated with the next stage.
When Can a Child Stop Using a Booster Seat?
Texas law no longer requires a child passenger safety seat once a child turns 8 or becomes taller than 4 feet 9 inches, whichever occurs first. However, that does not necessarily mean an adult seat belt will fit every child properly at that point.
The NHTSA recommends keeping children in booster seats until a vehicle seat belt fits correctly. The lap belt should fit snugly across the upper thighs rather than the stomach, while the shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder and chest rather than the neck or face.
Because children grow at different rates, proper seat belt fit can be more important for safety than age alone.
Can Children Ride in the Front Seat in Texas?
Texas does not establish a general minimum age for a child to ride in the front seat of a passenger vehicle. However, where a child sits can still affect their safety.
The NHTSA recommends that children under 13 ride in the back seat. Front airbags can pose additional risks to children, particularly when a child is too close to the dashboard.
Parents and caregivers should also follow the instructions for their specific child restraint and vehicle. A rear-facing car seat should never be placed in front of an active frontal airbag.
Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for help today
Were you or your child recently involved in a car accident in Texas? Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries and other losses caused by another party’s negligence.
Please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas:
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston Office
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 207-9299
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Friendswood Office
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
281-992-8633
