Booster Seats for kids up to 8 yrs old...it's the law

United States
May 22, 2008 10:46pm CST
In many (U.S.) states it is the law that kids up to age 8 are in a booster seat. I did not know this. I stumbled across a website talking abut a new law in MI that apparently goes into effect on July 1st. http://www.michigansafekids.org/newlaw.php And I wondered if there were other states that had similar laws...there are! http://www.saferoads.org/issues/BoosterSeatLawChart.pdf (This site is a touch outdated it seems, so some more states- like MI I guess- may have new laws that aren't listed). I had no idea. I mean, I have seen the commercials and I know it's a good suggestion- but that is all I thought it was. A suggestion. Well, not according to the chart it isn't a mere suggestion. Hmmm...I guess I will be pulling the boosters back out for a while. So, if you have kids in the below 8 age range...did you know that this was the law (if according to the chart it is in your state?) Or are you surprised to hear this, too?
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United States
24 May 08
Yes, I knew that law was going into effect in my state. We've been shopping for car seats and reading up on them online, so I ran across references to new laws while doing that. We'll be getting a seat that has a high weight limit so that we can use it until she's 8. She's small, so I'm sure she won't be over 4'9" before then! I wonder how all the kids who are under 8, but haven't been using a booster, are going to feel about this. I know of several 6 and 7 year olds who don't use one now.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
24 May 08
But hte boosters are not that "noticable" while in the car. I have one for my grand daughter and she doesn't have a single problem getting into it and buckling hte seat belt herself - she is 8. She happens to like the fact that it has a cup holder and a little "junk" pocket on the side and she wouldn't ahve either without it. She never complains. It is just a seat with arms. no back, nothing more. Just booster her up enough for the car's seat belts to work on her properly. I don't see peoples problem with keeping the kids in them or "looking forward" to when they dont' have to use them. Its all about the child's safety while you are driving. They had to make it a law so as to protect the child as so many were not taking care of the child while they were driving......
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
23 May 08
It's funny, I thought it's was 8 years old and 80 lbs here in California for the past few years, but when I went to the saferoads site it states 6 years or 60 lbs. You mean to say it isn't illegal for my 7 year old who is rather small for his age to be buckled up with just a regular seat belt and no booster seat?!? Don't worry I will continue to use his booster seat until he is big enough. Oh yeah, I did try to find new information to the booster seat law for my state, but the newest thing I could find was for 2002 which was basically the same info I already mentioned above.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
27 May 08
Yes, it is 'or'. My 7 year old (who will be 8 in July) only meets the age requirement, not the height/weight. Like I said, he is small for his age (anyone that asks could swear he is half his age, he is that small). I have to help him buckle up as he is still using the 5 point harness. Though he has done most of it on his own before.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
24 May 08
I believe it is OR - if it was AND for all three issues - seldom would a child fit into all three! So they had to make it to fit a large variety of combinations. My grand daughter fits the height and age, but just barely meets the weight by a pound. Her mom was anxious for her to be booster free - never did understand that. I still have her in mine - don't see the problem. She never complains and likes haveing her cup holder and "junk" pocke right there. SHe gets in and she does her own seat belt (the cars belt)and off we go. I feel better knowing she has the little bit more safety.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 08
Yeah, I need to go back and reread what my state says ('and' or 'or')...so I know for sure, too. I *think* that, since your law says OR, then if your son is under the weight, but over the age he is ok. And if a 5 yr old weighed in at 65 pounds, he would not have to be in the seat. If it said "AND" then they would have to meet both the age and the weight.
1 person likes this
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
23 May 08
I knew this was the law, at least in my home state. I have a seven year old niece who is really tall for her age, but she's still in a booster. I hadn't really checked any of the other states or anything. I think in the state I live in now (North Dakota) the law is seven, but I could be wrong. My only child is only 2, so he's still in a car seat for now. We haven't even looked at booster seats yet.
• United States
24 May 08
Hi Carla, your son (I assume he is your avatar) is adorable. Enjoy- he will BE 7 before you know it! lol Thanks for responding.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
24 May 08
It's law out here in CA. Up to something like 60 lb. My GD just met the weight limit, but I have a booster and I keep her in it. Her parent don't but I do. She is to precious for a simple couple inches to be between her and more secure safety. I think it is a good law. No only for safety of hte children when the parents care, but for the safety of them for when the parents dont' care and the kids are just climbing around in the back seat while parent is driving.
• United States
24 May 08
You wouldn't believe things I saw when working the drive through at a fast food restaurant in high school. Yikes! A big pet peeve of mine, too, is car seats that aren't even properly installed...twisted up seat belts and not even pulled tight so the seat is flopping around all over the place.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
24 May 08
I bet you did see it all! Car seats are not that hard to deal with. I dont' know why everyone makes such an issue of them. Back in my baby days, the car seats were HUGE and awkward and hard to deal with and hook in and belt the child - the one I had had this front cover thing - you put the child in, use the car seat buckles then put this curved cover thing on the front - like putting hte child into an egg with and the front opens - nad then the cars seat belt was belted around the entire thing! It was by Graco too! IF they still did those kinds today instead of the quick and easy ones they have now, there'd be alot of kids not in a car seat! But they are so convenient now, I just dont see why there's a problem. ANd you can get htem cheap at yard sales and second hand stores, the kids grow out of them so fast, they can hardle be "used" before the need replace until they get about 4 years old or so, then they stay in them a little longer.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
23 May 08
Wow, up to 8 yrs old? I'm sure that safety studies dictate otherwise, but to me that seems a bit old. I agree that its a good idea for small children to be restrained in a vehicle and car seats being mandatory is ok, and even booster seats/belts required up to a certain age, but I think 8 yrs old is a bit much. I don't think I have to worry about my boys since they're both 6'3", but I do hope they wear their seatbelts!
• United States
23 May 08
States vary on the age, but I did see most were 8...some were 6, 7 and I am pretty sure at least one was 9! I think they also all say either "and" or "or" up to 4'9". So, if it says "and" and they are above the age but under the height they would still need to be in the seat...? Sheesh, I know some adults who can't be much over 4'9...lol! Thanks for responding.