Car Seat Carriers in Florida
Until the child is at least four years old, Florida requires that infants and toddlers ride in the rear seat of a vehicle. This is in line with current guidelines from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Division (FLHSMV). Although they may look like full-grown adults, young children’s bones are still underdeveloped and may not be able to withstand an airbag impact.
Florida car seat florida car carriers laws take the child’s height and weight into consideration when determining a child’s safety. However, there are exceptions for children that are shorter or taller than average. This is why it is important to keep a child in a car seat until they reach the age of four and a half.
While Florida’s car seat legislation doesn’t specify a specific length of time, it does set a minimum weight limit for each type of car seat carrier. Parents must use a federally approved child restraint system to keep their babies safe in a car.
How Long Are Babies in Car Seat Carriers in Florida?
Florida’s car seat laws also extend to children who are less than four years old. They must be in a car seat with a harness until they reach the age of four. However, it’s recommended that a child use a booster seat until they reach the height of four feet nine inches.
If you’re traveling to Florida and need to take your baby, Florida law requires you to have a car seat and booster seat installed in your vehicle. Children must ride in the back seat until they are four feet, nine inches tall, and eighty pounds. In addition, it is important to ensure that the child’s height and weight are appropriate for the safety belts of an adult.
While you may be surprised that Florida doesn’t require babies to ride in a rear-facing car seat carrier, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children start in rear-facing car seats from the time they are born. Then, use a front-facing child seat once the child reaches the age required by the manufacturer.
If the other driver fails to use a car seat for their child, the other driver may be responsible for the accident and can charge the driver a $60 fine for failing to install a car seat for the child. In addition, it can lead to a three-point fine.
Rear-facing car seats are safer than front-facing ones for infants under two. This position is recommended until a child weighs between twenty-five and forty-five pounds. However, some children will remain in rear-facing seats until they are four years old.
