Michigan Car Seat Laws: What You Need to Know
Michigan car seat laws are in place to protect children in the event of a car accident. Parents and caregivers need to understand the laws and follow them to ensure the safety of their children. According to Michigan law, children under the age of 8 and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height must ride in a car seat or booster seat. However, once a child reaches 8 or grows taller than 4’9″, they no longer need to ride in them.
Michigan’s Child Passenger Safety Law also requires children younger than age 4 to ride in a car seat in the rear seat (if the vehicle has a rear seat). If all available rear seats are occupied by children under 4, then a child under 4 may ride in a car seat in the front seat. Children must be properly buckled in a booster seat or car seat up until the age of eight years old, or if the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall – children must be in a car seat until they either meet the age limit or height limit, whichever happens first. It’s important to note that car seats should not be purchased at garage sales or second-hand stores since the seat’s history is unknown.
Michigan Car Seat Laws Overview
Michigan has strict laws regarding child passenger safety in vehicles. The state requires children to be secured in a car seat or booster seat until they reach the age of 8 or grow taller than 4’9″.
According to Michigan car seat laws, children younger than age 4 must ride in a car seat in the rear seat (if the vehicle has a rear seat). If all available rear seats are occupied by children under 4, then a child under 4 may ride in a car seat in the front seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 must ride in a car seat or booster seat in the vehicle’s rear seat.
It is important to note that car seats must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and must be appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and height. In addition, it is recommended that children ride in the vehicle’s back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
Michigan law also requires that all vehicle occupants wear a seat belt, regardless of age or seating position. Failure to comply with Michigan’s car seat laws can result in fines and points on your driver’s license.
Parents and caregivers should always ensure their child is properly secured in a car or booster seat before every trip. It is also recommended that parents and caregivers have their car seat installation checked by a certified technician to ensure that it is installed correctly.
Age and Weight Requirements
Infants
Michigan law requires all infants to ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle until they are at least 2 years old or until they reach the height and weight limits of their car seat. It is recommended that infants remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible to provide the best protection in the event of a crash.
Toddlers
After a child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they should be placed in a forward-facing car seat with a harness in the back seat of the vehicle until they are at least 4 years old or until they reach the height and weight limits of their car seat. It is recommended that children remain in a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible to provide the best protection in the event of a crash.
Preschoolers
Once a child outgrows their forward-facing car seat, they should be placed in a booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle until they are at least 8 years old or until they reach the height and weight limits of their booster seat. It is recommended that children remain in a booster seat for as long as possible to provide the best protection in the event of a crash.
School Age Children
After a child outgrows their booster seat, they can use the vehicle’s seat belt in the back seat. Michigan law requires that all children under 16 wear a seat belt in the front or back seat of the vehicle. It is recommended that children continue to use the vehicle’s seat belt until they are tall enough to fit in the seat properly and the seat belt fits them correctly.
It is important to note that Michigan law does not mention age, weight, or height requirements on forward-facing car seats. However, it requires that a child travel in an appropriate child restraint system until 4 years of age. Parents should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for their child’s car seat and ensure that it is installed and used correctly.
Types of Car Seats
Rear-Facing Seats
According to Michigan car seat laws, all children under the age of 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. This type of car seat is designed to protect the child’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. Rear-facing seats can be installed using either the vehicle’s seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).
Forward-Facing Seats
Children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seat should switch to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. These seats protect the child’s head and body in a crash. Michigan law requires children to ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until they are 4.
Booster Seats
Once a child outgrows their forward-facing car seat, they should switch to a booster seat. Booster seats elevate the child so the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly. Michigan law requires children to ride in a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old or 4’9″ tall.
Seat Belts
Once a child outgrows their booster seat, they should use a seat belt. Michigan law requires all passengers to wear seat belts, regardless of age or seating position. Children under the age of 16 must wear a seat belt or be secured in a car seat or booster seat.
Choosing the right type of car seat for your child’s age, weight, and height is important. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use and Michigan car seat laws.
Installation Guidelines
Positioning
When installing a car seat, it is important to position it correctly. The car seat should be placed in the vehicle’s back seat, as this is the safest place for a child to ride. If the car has a rear-facing airbag, the car seat should be placed in the back seat, and the airbag should be turned off.
Securing the Child
Once the car seat is positioned properly, it is important to secure the child in the car seat correctly. The child should be buckled in snugly with the harness straps. The harness straps should be at or below the child’s shoulders for rear-facing car seats and at or above the child’s shoulders for forward-facing car seats. The chest clip should be placed at the armpit level.
Checking for Proper Installation
Before hitting the road, it is important to check that the car seat is installed properly. When pulled at the base, the car seat should not move more than one inch in any direction. The harness straps should be snug, with no slack. The chest clip should be at the armpit level. Finally, the child should wear clothing that allows the harness straps to fit snugly.
If you need help with how to install your child’s car seat properly, it is recommended that you seek assistance from a certified child passenger safety technician. The State of Michigan offers a Car Seat Distribution Program providing qualified families with car seats and education.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Michigan has strict laws to ensure children’s safety in vehicles. Failure to comply with these laws can result in penalties, including fines, points on your driver’s license, and even jail time.
According to Michigan law, children must be properly buckled in a booster seat or car seat until the age of eight or if the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children must be in a car seat until they meet the age or height limit, whichever happens first. Violating these regulations can result in a fine of up to $150 for the first offense and up to $200 for subsequent offenses.
In addition to fines, non-compliance can result in points on your driver’s license. For a first offense, you may receive two points on your license; for subsequent offenses, you may receive three points. Accumulating too many points on your license can lead to suspension or revocation.
The driver may face criminal charges if a child is injured or killed due to non-compliance with Michigan’s car seat laws. In such cases, the driver may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances of the incident. A misdemeanor charge can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, while a felony charge can result in up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Exemptions to the Law
Michigan’s child restraint system law requires all children under four years of age to be properly secured in a child restraint system that meets federal standards. However, there are exemptions to this law. The following is a list of exemptions parents should be aware of:
- Buses and School Buses: Children riding on a bus or school bus are exempt from Michigan’s child restraint system law. However, children should still be seated and secured with a seat belt whenever possible.
- Taxicabs and Other Motor Vehicles: Children riding in a taxicab, moped, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle not equipped with safety belts are exempt from Michigan’s child restraint system law. However, parents should still use a child restraint system whenever possible.
- Medical Exemptions: Children with a medical condition that makes it impossible or dangerous to use a child restraint system may be exempt from Michigan’s child restraint system law. Parents should obtain a written statement from a physician that explains the medical condition and why a child restraint system cannot be used.
It is important to note that these exemptions do not apply to children four or older. Children four years or older must be secured with a seat belt at all times while riding in a motor vehicle.
Parents should also remember that while a child may be exempt from Michigan’s child restraint system law, it is always safest for children to ride in a child restraint system appropriate for their age, weight, and height. Parents should also make sure that the child restraint system is installed correctly and that the child is secured properly.
Additional Safety Tips
In addition to following the Michigan car seat laws, there are some additional safety tips that parents and caregivers should keep in mind to ensure the safety of their children while traveling in a vehicle.
Proper Installation
It is important to ensure that the car seat is properly installed in the vehicle. The car seat should be securely fastened to the vehicle using the seat belt or the LATCH system. When tested at the base, the car seat should not move more than one inch in any direction.
Rear-Facing for Longer
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height their car seat allows. This is because rear-facing car seats provide better protection for young children’s heads, necks, and spines in a crash.
No Winter Coats
Children should not wear bulky winter coats while in their car seats. The coat can compress in a crash, leaving the straps too loose and putting the child at risk of being ejected from the car seat. Instead, dress the child in thin layers and cover them with a blanket.
No Used Car Seats
Using a used car seat is only recommended if you know its full history. A used car seat may have been in a crash, be missing parts, or be expired. Purchasing a new car seat or borrowing one from a trusted friend or family member is safer.
No Loose Items
Loose items in the car can become projectiles in a crash. Ensure all loose items, such as toys, books, and bags, are securely stored in the trunk or under the seats.
By following these additional safety tips, parents and caregivers can help ensure their children are as safe as possible while traveling in a vehicle.
