New Jersey Child Car Seat Laws: What You Need to Know
New Jersey has strict laws regarding child passenger safety in motor vehicles. These laws require children to be secured in car seats or booster seats until they reach a certain age, height, and weight. The purpose of these laws is to protect children from serious injuries or fatalities in the event of a car accident.
According to New Jersey Child Car Seat Laws, any child under the age of 8 and a height of 57 inches shall be secured in the rear seat of a motor vehicle. Additionally, any child under 2 and 30 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child seat equipped with a 5-point harness. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines and penalties. Parents and caregivers need to understand these laws and follow them to ensure the safety of their children while traveling on the road.
This article will provide an overview of New Jersey Child Car Seat Laws, including the types of car seats required for different age groups and the penalties for non-compliance. We will also provide tips and recommendations for selecting and installing the appropriate car seat for your child to ensure their safety while traveling.
New Jersey Car Seat Laws Overview
New Jersey has strict laws in place to ensure the safety of children while they are traveling in motor vehicles. These laws are designed to protect children from injury or death in the event of a car accident.
According to New Jersey law, all children under the age of 8 and a height of 57 inches must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the rear seat of a vehicle. Children under the age of 2 and 30 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child seat equipped with a 5-point harness.
Children at least 8 years old or taller than 57 inches may use a regular seat belt. However, it is recommended that children continue to use a booster seat until they are tall enough to fit properly in a seat belt.
It is important to note that the seat belt fit test should be used on all children under 13 years of age to ensure that they are big enough to use the adult seat belt without a booster seat safely. Parents should have the child sit back on the vehicle seat and check to see if the knees bend naturally at the seat edge. If they do, the child can use the adult seat belt.
It is also important to remember that car and booster seats should be installed and used properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If a car seat or booster seat is not used correctly, it may not provide the necessary protection in a car accident.
Understanding Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws
Age and Weight Requirements
According to New Jersey car seat laws, any child under 2 and 30 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing seat equipped with a 5-point harness. This is because rear-facing car seats provide the best protection for infants and toddlers in a crash.
Once a child exceeds the weight or height limit of their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness. However, keeping children in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible is recommended, as they provide more protection for the head, neck, and spine.
Exceptions to the Rule
If there are no rear seats in the vehicle, the child can be secured in the front seat using a rear-facing car seat if there is no active passenger-side airbag or the airbag is deactivated. Additionally, if a child is over the age of 2 and exceeds the weight or height limit of their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed in a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness in the front seat.
It is important to note that these exceptions should only be used if no other options are available, as rear-facing car seats provide the best protection for young children. Parents and caregivers should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing and using car seats and ensure that the car seat is appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and height.
Forward-Facing Car Seat Regulations
When a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, it is time to transition to a forward-facing car seat. According to New Jersey law in section C.39:3-76.2a subsection 1 part b, children who are at least 2 years old or have reached the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer for the rear-facing car seat should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they outgrow it.
Transition Guidelines
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible before transitioning to a forward-facing car seat. Parents should check the car seat manufacturer’s specifications to determine when it is appropriate to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
Height and Weight Considerations
Children should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the highest weight or height the car seat manufacturer allows. After outgrowing the car seat with a harness, children should use a booster seat until they are tall enough to use the seat belt without a booster seat.
Parents should adjust the car seat’s harness to fit the child snugly and securely. The harness should be at or above the child’s shoulders when in the forward-facing position. Additionally, the car seat should be installed correctly, and the child should be secured in the car seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Booster Seat Laws
When to Switch
According to New Jersey car seat laws, children under 8 or under 57 inches tall must ride in a rear seat with a booster seat. Once a child reaches 8 years, they no longer need to ride in a booster seat, but they must still be secured in a properly adjusted seat belt. However, it’s important to note that the seat belt may not fit them correctly.
It’s recommended that parents keep their children in a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. This height ensures the seat belt fits properly and provides the necessary protection in an accident.
Booster Seat Types
There are two types of booster seats: high-back and backless. High-back booster seats are recommended for vehicles without headrests or with low seat backs. They also provide extra protection in the event of a side-impact collision. Backless booster seats are recommended for vehicles with headrests and high seat backs. They are also more portable and easier to move between vehicles.
When purchasing a booster seat, it’s important to consider the weight and height limits of the seat. It’s also important to ensure the seat is installed correctly and snugly. When tested at the base, the booster seat should not move more than one inch in any direction.
Overall, following New Jersey’s booster seat laws and guidelines can help ensure the safety of children while traveling in a vehicle.
Seat Belt Laws for Children
In the State of New Jersey, seat belt laws for children are in place to ensure their safety while traveling in a vehicle. The laws require that all children under the age of 8 and a height of 57 inches be secured in the rear seat of a motor vehicle.
The child shall be secured in the front seat with a child restraint system if there are no rear seats. However, no child shall be secured in a rear-facing seat in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active passenger-side airbag. The aforementioned is acceptable if the airbag is deactivated.
It is important to use the seat belt fit test on all children under 13 years of age to be sure they are big enough to use the adult seat belt without a booster seat safely. The child should sit back on the vehicle seat, and the knees should bend naturally at the seat edge. If they do, it is safe to continue the test.
In addition to the laws, seat belt initiatives, and information are available to educate parents and caregivers on the proper use of child restraint systems. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety Child Passenger Safety provides information on properly securing a child’s car seat with a seat belt and knowing when to transition to a forward-facing child safety seat.
It is important to follow the seat belt laws for children in New Jersey to ensure the safety of young passengers while traveling in a vehicle.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with New Jersey’s child car seat laws may result in penalties. The following are the possible penalties for non-compliance:
- A fine of $50 to $75 for the first offense
- A fine of $100 for the second offense
- A fine of $100 and 3 motor vehicle points for the third and subsequent offenses
It is important to note that these penalties are for each child not properly restrained. Therefore, if a driver is transporting multiple children who are not properly restrained, the fines and penalties can quickly increase.
Additionally, the driver may face criminal charges if a child is injured in a car accident due to improper restraint. In such cases, the driver may be charged with endangering the welfare of a child, which is a fourth-degree crime.
To avoid penalties and ensure the safety of children, drivers should always follow New Jersey’s child car seat laws. Parents and caregivers should also ensure that their children are properly restrained per the law.
Car Seat Installation and Inspection
Installing a car seat can be daunting for any parent or caregiver. Still, ensuring that the child is safe and secure while riding in a vehicle is crucial. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (NJDHTS) schedules voluntary child seat checkpoints throughout New Jersey, where certified child passenger safety technicians will examine the child seat and ensure it is installed correctly.
The NJDHTS recommends that parents and caregivers follow the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines for the safest way to transport a child. Additionally, it will ensure compliance with the New Jersey Child Passenger Restraint Law (Title 39:3-76.2a).
Here are some tips to keep in mind when installing a car seat:
- Read the car seat manual and the vehicle owner’s manual before installation.
- Choose the right car seat for the child’s age, height, and weight.
- Install the car seat in the vehicle’s back seat, away from the airbags.
- Use the vehicle’s seat belt or the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system to secure the car seat.
- Make sure the car seat is tightly secured and does not move more than an inch in any direction.
- Adjust the harness straps to fit snugly on the child, with the chest clip at armpit level.
- Check the car seat’s expiration date and replace it if it has expired or been involved in a crash.
It is also important to inspect the car seat regularly to ensure it is installed correctly and fits the child properly. The NJDHTS schedules voluntary child seat checkpoints throughout New Jersey, where certified child passenger safety technicians will examine the child seat and ensure it is installed correctly. Any errors in the installation will be pointed out and explained to the parent or guardian.
Updates and Changes in the Law
New Jersey’s car seat laws have been updated in recent years to improve the safety of children while traveling in vehicles. The changes are intended to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. Here are some of the updates and changes in the law:
- Rear-facing car seats: As of September 1, 2023, children under two weighing less than 30 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing car seat equipped with a five-point harness. This is an update from the previous law, which required children under two to be secured in a rear-facing car seat but did not specify the weight limit.
- Forward-facing car seats: Children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seats must be secured in a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness until they are at least four years old and weigh 40 pounds. Previously, children could move to a booster seat or a car seat that uses only the car’s shoulder belts at age three and 30 pounds.
- Booster seats: Children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats must be secured in a booster seat until they are at least eight or 57 inches tall. This is an update from the previous law, which required children to be secured in a booster seat until they were at least eight years old or 80 pounds.
- Penalties: Violators of New Jersey’s child passenger restraint system law may be fined between $50.00 and $75.00. Violators of New Jersey’s safety seat belt law may be fined $46.00.
It is important to note that the exemptions to New Jersey’s child passenger restraint system law are limited. Children may be exempt from the law if they are being transported on a school bus or have a medical condition that makes using a child safety restraint system impractical. However, these exemptions do not apply to most children traveling in private vehicles.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with New Jersey’s car seat laws and to follow them carefully. Proper use of car and booster seats can significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash.
