New Car Seat Laws went into effect on August 1, 2024.
• The new law requires that you keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, at least until age two. Rear-facing is the safest position, letting us better protect the child's head, neck and spine.
• Once your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, and they are at least age two, they can ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal 5-point harness. They should continue to ride in the forward-facing car seat until they are at least age four AND have outgrown the seat by the height or weight limit, according to the car seat manufacturer.
• Children need to ride in a booster seat until at least age nine or until they've outgrown the booster seat AND they can pass the 5-Step Test. When a child can do ALL 5 steps, they are ready to ride with the lap and shoulder belt on the vehicle seat!
• Children under the age of 13 must sit in a back seat of the vehicle, if possible.
• Every driver who transports a child under the age of 18 years in a motor vehicle, is required to have the child restrained in a car seat or seat belt.
If you are in need assistance getting your child a car seat reach out to Meeker County Public Health. 320-693-5370