Seatbelts & Car Seats

Seatbelts

State Law requires that all occupants of your vehicle be properly secured in an approved restraining device. Remember “airbag” dangers — no one under 12 years of age should be riding in the front seat. Children under 4 years should be restrained in an approved safety seat. “Click it or Ticket” — it’s the law.

This law allows police to stop vehicles if passengers are not wearing a seatbelt in the front seat. Vehicles can also be stopped if children between the ages of  4 to 15 years old riding either in the front or backseat are not properly restrained.

Infants should be placed in a federally approved infant car seat, facing the rear of the vehicle. Children 1 to 4 years old should be placed in a convertible seat, facing the front. Once this seat is outgrown, children should travel in a booster seat until they are big enough to use a lap and shoulder belt. A lap and shoulder belt can be used once a child is able to sit with their back against the seat and the back of their knees are bent over the seat.

Seatbelts help save lives.  Buckle up! — It’s the law.

Car Seats

Infants until at least one year old and at least 20 pounds should be in rear-facing car seats. Infants should ride in the back seat facing the rear of your vehicle. This offers the best protection for your infant’s neck.

• Keep harness straps snug and fasten harness clip at armpit level.
• Put car seat carrying handle down.
• Never put an infant in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag (unless you have a manual cut-off switch and you have turned it off).
• The back seat is the safest place for kids of any age.

Kids over one year old and between 20 and 40 pounds can be in forward-facing car seats.

• Route harness straps in upper slots at or above shoulder level.
• Place car seat in upright position.
• Fasten harness clip at armpit level.
• Keep harness straps snug.

Take a minute to be sure your child is riding safely. Study your vehicle owner’s manual and car seat instructions carefully.

Send in the car seat registration card to be notified in case your car seat is recalled. If you have any questions, call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Auto Safety Hotline (888-DASH-2DOT).

• Replace any car seat that has been involved in a crash.
• Route the safety vest correctly through the car seat.
• Correctly buckle the car seat into the vehicle.
• Get a tight fit — the seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or toward the front of the vehicle.
• Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you need a locking clip.

Michigan Law requires that children up to the age of four must be properly buckled in a car seat while riding in a motor vehicle.

For more information, call 1-800-626-4636 or visit www.michiganresourcecenter.org.