Delaware Car Seat Laws: What You Need to Know
Delaware car seat laws are put in place to ensure the safety of children while traveling in a vehicle. The rules are designed to provide clear guidelines on the appropriate use of car and booster seats for children of different ages and weights. Delaware law requires children to ride in a car seat or booster seat until they reach eight years old or 65 lbs.
The State of Delaware requires all children to be adequately restrained in a federally approved child safety seat appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and height up to 8 years of age or 65 lbs, whichever comes first. Additionally, minors aged 8 to 15 must be appropriately restrained in a seatbelt. Failure to comply with these laws could result in a fine and penalty points on the driver’s license. It is essential to understand Delaware car seat laws to ensure the safety of children while traveling in a vehicle.
Parents and guardians should also know the specific requirements for car and booster seats for children of different ages and weights. The laws dictate that children under age 2 and 30 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat, while children under age 4 and 40 pounds must ride in a harnessed car seat. Children who have outgrown their car seats must use a booster seat until they are at least eight years old or 65 pounds. By following these guidelines, parents and guardians can ensure their children are safe and secure while traveling in a vehicle.
Delaware Car Seat Law Basics
Delaware’s car seat laws require all children to be properly restrained in a federally approved child safety seat appropriate for their age, weight, and height up to 8 years of age or 65 lbs, whichever comes first. Minors aged 8 to 15 must be properly restrained in a seatbelt.
Effective June 30, 2024, Delaware’s Child Restraint Law requires children under age 2 and 30 pounds to ride in a rear-facing car seat and children under age 4 and 40 pounds to ride in a harnessed car seat.
Infants younger than one year must ride rear-facing in vehicles. Babies between one and three should remain rear-facing in an infant or convertible car seat as long as possible or until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight restrictions.
Delaware car seat laws state that children seven years old and younger must ride in an appropriate child passenger restraint system or a booster seat that meets federal guidelines.
It’s important to note that taking a child out of a booster seat at age 8 or 65 lbs, as the law allows, is highly unsafe. Parents and caregivers should continue to use booster seats until the child is big enough to use a seatbelt properly.
Overall, Delaware’s car seat laws aim to protect children from injury or death in the event of a car accident. Parents and caregivers need to follow these laws to ensure the safety of their children while traveling on the road.
Types of Car Seats
There are several types of car seats available in Delaware, each designed for different ages and sizes of children. The following are the most common types of car seats:
Rear-Facing Car Seats
Rear-facing car seats are designed for infants and young children and placed in the back seat facing the rear. According to Delaware law, children under two weighing less than 30 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat. However, it is recommended that children remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height and weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Forward-facing car seats are designed for children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seats. Delaware law requires children between the ages of four and seven to ride in a forward-facing car seat equipped with a harness that can accommodate their maximum height and weight, as the car seat manufacturer specifies.
Booster Seats
Booster seats are designed for children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats but need to be taller to use a seatbelt properly. Delaware law requires children between the ages of eight and 15 to be correctly restrained in a seatbelt or booster seat.
Combination Seats
Combination seats are designed to be used as both a forward-facing car seat and a booster seat. These seats typically have a harness for younger children and can be converted into a booster seat as the child grows.
All-in-One Seats
All-in-one seats are designed to be used as a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat, and a booster seat. These seats can be adjusted to fit the child’s age and size, making them a cost-effective option for parents.
When selecting a car seat, choosing one appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and height is essential. Parents should also ensure the car seat is installed correctly and the child is properly secured.
Age and Weight Requirements
Infants
Delaware law requires infants under one year of age to ride in a rear-facing car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants remain in rear-facing car seats until they reach the age of two or until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight restrictions. Parents should ensure that the car seat is installed correctly and that the harness is snug and secure.
Toddlers
Children between the ages of one and three should remain in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible or until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight restrictions. Delaware law does not specify a weight or height requirement for forward-facing car seats, but experts recommend turning to a forward-facing seat once the child reaches the weight or height limit for their rear-facing car seat.
Children
Children between the ages of four and seven must be secured in a forward-facing car seat equipped with a harness that can accommodate their maximum height and weight, as specified by the seat manufacturer. Delaware law requires children to use a booster seat until they are at least eight years old or until they are 4’9″ tall. Parents should ensure that the lap and shoulder belt fit snugly across the child’s thighs and shoulder and not across the abdomen or neck.
Teens
In Delaware, teens 16 and older are subject to the state’s adult seat belt law. All passengers in the vehicle must wear a seat belt, regardless of their age or seating position. Parents should set a good example by wearing seat belts and ensuring that all passengers in the vehicle are buckled up.
Overall, parents need to follow Delaware’s car seat laws and recommendations to ensure the safety of their children while traveling in a vehicle.
Proper Installation of Car Seats
When it comes to car seats, proper installation is crucial to ensure maximum safety for children. According to Delaware car seat laws, here are some guidelines for installing car seats.
Rear-Facing Car Seats
Children under two and weighing less than 30 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. The car seat should be installed in the vehicle’s back seat, and the child should be seated in the back seat. The car seat should be installed at a 45-degree angle to ensure the child’s head does not fall forward and obstruct their airway.
When installing a rear-facing car seat, use the LATCH system or the vehicle’s seat belt to secure the car seat. The car seat should be tightly secured and should not move more than an inch in any direction.
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Children under four and weighing less than 40 pounds must be secured in a forward-facing car seat with a harness. The car seat should be installed in the vehicle’s back seat, and the child should be seated in the back seat.
When installing a forward-facing car seat, use the LATCH system or the vehicle’s seat belt to secure the car seat. The car seat should be tightly secured and should not move more than an inch in any direction.
Booster Seats
Children between the ages of 4 and 8 or weighing between 40 and 65 pounds must be secured in a booster seat. The booster seat should be installed in the vehicle’s back seat, and the child should be seated in the back seat as well.
When installing a booster seat, use the vehicle’s seat belt to secure the child and the booster seat. The seat belt should be positioned across the child’s lap and shoulder, and the booster seat should be tightly secured.
It is important to read the car seat manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow them closely when installing a car seat. If you need help properly installing a car seat, consult a certified car seat technician for assistance.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Delaware has strict laws regarding child passenger safety. Failure to comply with these laws can result in penalties and fines. The penalties for non-compliance with Delaware car seat laws are as follows:
- First Offense: The first offense for not complying with the car seat laws in Delaware is a referral to the Office of Highway Safety.
- Second Offense: The second offense is a $25 fine plus court costs.
It’s important to note that subsequent car seat offenses may warrant extra penalties determined on a case-by-case basis.
Parents and guardians should also know that the law holds them responsible for correctly restraining their children in a car or booster seat. If a child is not perfectly tied and injured in an accident, the parent or guardian may be liable for any damages.
Delaware car seat laws are in place to protect children from injury or death in the event of a car accident. Parents and guardians should take these laws seriously and ensure that their children are always appropriately restrained while in a vehicle.
Exceptions to the Law
While the Delaware car seat laws are strict, there are a few exceptions to the rule. Here are a few scenarios where the law may not apply:
Medical Exemptions: Children with a medical condition or disability that makes it impossible to use a car seat or safety belt may be exempt from the law. In such cases, parents or caregivers must obtain a written statement from a licensed physician that explains the child’s condition and why a car seat or safety belt cannot be used.
Emergency Situations: In cases of emergency, such as a medical emergency or a threat to the child’s or others’ safety, the car seat law may not apply. However, this exception should be used only in extreme cases, and parents or caregivers should still make every effort to ensure the child’s safety.
Taxis and Public Transportation: The law does not apply to taxis or public vehicles like buses or trains. However, parents or caregivers should still take precautions to ensure the child’s safety, such as using a car seat or holding the child securely.
Out-of-State Visitors: If you are visiting Delaware from another state and your child’s car seat does not meet Delaware’s standards, you may still use the car seat as long as it meets the standards of your home state.
It’s important to note that these exceptions should be used only when necessary, and parents or caregivers should always prioritize the child’s safety. Even if a child is exempt from the law, using a car seat or safety belt is still the safest option.
Car Seat Safety Tips
Regarding car seat safety, there are a few tips parents and caregivers should keep in mind to ensure that children are properly secured while in the car.
First and foremost, choosing the right car seat for the child’s age, weight, and height is vital. Delaware law requires children under age 2 and 30 pounds to ride in a rear-facing car seat, while children under age 4 and 40 should ride in a harnessed car seat. A booster seat is recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 8 until they reach 65 pounds or 4’9″ tall.
It is also crucial to properly install the car seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The car seat should be securely fastened to the vehicle, and the child should be securely fastened into the car seat. The harness straps should be snug and positioned at or below the child’s shoulders for rear-facing seats and at or above the shoulders for forward-facing seats.
Parents and caregivers should also avoid using secondhand car seats or seats involved in a crash, as they may not be safe for use. Registering the car seat with the manufacturer is essential to receive important safety updates and recalls.
Finally, parents and caregivers should set a good example by always wearing their seat belts and ensuring that all passengers in the car are adequately secured. By following these car seat safety tips, parents and caregivers can help keep children safe while on the road.
Resources and Assistance
Parents and caregivers in Delaware can access various resources and assistance to ensure they follow the state’s car seat laws and keep their children safe while traveling.
One such resource is the Office of Highway Safety (OHS), which provides information on Delaware car seat laws and regulations. The OHS website offers a detailed breakdown of the state’s car seat laws, including requirements for rear-facing and harnessed car seats based on a child’s age and weight.
Another helpful resource is Safe Kids Delaware, a Delaware Department of Health and Social Services program. Safe Kids Delaware provides car seat fitting stations throughout the state where parents and caregivers can receive assistance installing car seats and ensuring they are properly secured. Appointments are required for these fitting stations, located in New Castle County at the Division of Motor Vehicles in Wilmington and Kent County at the Delaware State Police Troop 3 in Camden.
In addition to these resources, parents, and caregivers can also seek assistance from local fire departments and police stations. Many of these agencies offer free car seat inspections and installations by certified technicians.
It is important to note that while these resources can be helpful, parents and caregivers are ultimately responsible for ensuring their child’s safety while traveling. This includes selecting the appropriate car seat for their child’s age and weight, properly installing it, and ensuring the child is securely buckled in every time they ride in a vehicle.
