The Law and Best Practice

The Law is the legal minimum. Remember, the law is written for the parent who will not do better or chooses to allow the government to tell them what is safe.

Remember, legal does NOT equal safe.

The law is the legal minimum - doesn't your precious child deserve better than that?

While the Virginia law is listed below, remember the laws of physics do not change from one side of the border to another.

Not sure what the law in your state is? You can look it up at http://www.usa.safekids.org/. Scroll down to "Learn about Child Safety Laws & Regulations" about halfway down the page on the right side. Select your state and click "Go." Follow the prompts given. Some information may be out of date if your state recently changed the law.

This page was last modified on 04/25/10

Virginia Law

Virginia law requires that children under 8 years of age be restrained in a child safety seat that meets federal standards.

Virginia law requires all children age eight through age 15 to be properly secured in an approved child safety seat, booster seat or safety belt no matter where the child is seated in the vehicle.

Under Virginia law the driver is responsible for ensuring that all children in the vehicle are properly restrained.

In Virginia, a police officer can stop a vehicle if children up to the age 16 riding in the vehicle are not properly restrained.

Best Practice

Children under 35 lbs should be rear facing at all times, regardless of age. Children under two years old and 35 lbs should be rear facing at all times. 40 - 45 pounds is the current maximum rear facing limit available in the United States. It is highly recommended to rear face your child until at least age two AND 35 to 40 lbs. If you can make it to three or four, so much the better!

Children under five years and forty pounds should be harnessed in an appropriate five-point harness at all times.

Children under 5 feet tall (around eleven years old) should use a belt-positioning booster seat at all times until they pass the five step test. Best practice indicates that a younger child who does pass the Five Step Test should remain in a booster seat as long as it fits until puberty to allow the hips (aka "iliac crest") to mature.

All children should ride in the back seat until they're ready to learn to drive (around fifteen years old.)

Everyone always buckles up, no matter how old they are, front and back seat. Period.

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!

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