Car accidents are a leading cause of preventable deaths for children. That’s why it’s so important to know how to properly restrain your child in a car seat.
This article breaks down Arizona’s car seat laws to help you keep your kids safe and avoid a ticket. Using car seats correctly can drastically reduce the risk of injury in a crash, and following these laws is crucial for protecting Arizona’s youngest passengers.
What Arizona Law Says About Car Seats
Arizona law has specific requirements for car seats and booster seats, all designed to keep your kids as safe as possible. Here’s a quick rundown.
Kids age 5 and under
Arizona requires that children under age 5 ride in a child safety seat that meets federal safety standards. Rear-facing car seats are recommended until a child is at least a year old and weighs 20 pounds. Kids under 5 should always be buckled into a rear-facing car seat, never placed in the front seat, and always properly secured.
Arizona booster seat laws
Arizona law says that kids between the ages of 5 and 7 need to be in booster seats. In fact, children under age 8 or shorter than 57 inches have to be in either a car seat or a booster seat.
Children in the front seat
It’s generally recommended that children under 13 ride in the back seat. And never, ever put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat if the airbag is active.
Step-by-step guide to car seat usage
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created guidelines for keeping kids safe in the car. Here’s a breakdown of what they recommend:
Step 1: Rear-facing car seats
Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, until they reach the height or weight limit of their car seat. Arizona law requires all children under age 2 to ride in a rear-facing car seat.
Step 2: Forward-facing car seats
Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat (around age 2), they can move to a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness. Keep them in this type of seat as long as possible, until they reach the upper limits of the seat, usually around age 4 to 7.
Step 3: Booster seats
After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, children should ride in a booster seat until they are 4’9″ tall and can safely use an adult seatbelt, usually between the ages of 8 and 12.
Step 4: Seat belts
When children are tall enough to properly fit in an adult seat belt, they can start using the lap and shoulder belts in the back seat.
The importance of proper installation and use
It’s not enough to just have a car seat. It has to be installed correctly. If it isn’t, it won’t protect your child in a crash.
When you install your car seat, make sure:
- The harness straps are snug.
- The harness clip is at armpit level.
- You use tether straps when using forward-facing car seats.
If you’re not sure you’ve installed your car seat correctly, the Maricopa Fire/Medical Department offers car seat installations and inspections by appointment.
Enforcement, Fines, and Legal Recourse
Arizona law enforcement agencies actively enforce car seat regulations and run safety campaigns to educate the public. If you violate Arizona’s car seat laws, you will receive a fine.
A first-time car seat violation will cost you $50.00.
If your child is injured because someone failed to follow Arizona’s car seat laws, you may be able to take legal action.
In Summary
Following Arizona’s car seat laws is crucial for protecting children on the road. Make sure you understand and follow the regulations. This includes knowing the correct car seat or booster seat for your child’s age and size.
It’s up to all of us to keep kids safe when they’re riding in a vehicle. By using the right car seat or booster seat, we can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash.