In May, 2015 Governor Chris Christie signed new car seat safety legislation into law.
These new safety guidelines will take effect on September 1, 2015 and are based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation that the safest place for children under 24 months is in a rear facing car seat.
Guidelines for the New Car Seat Law in New Jersey
Children under two years old and under 30 pounds require a rear facing seat and a five point harness system.
Children under four years old and under 40 pounds require a rear facing seat and a five point harness system, until the child outgrows the height of the back of the seat, or goes over the weight requirement for the safety seat. At this point, the child may be turned forward, but a five-point harness must still be utilized.
Children under eight years old, and under 57 inches in height require a five point safety harness system. Once they outgrow the manufacturer recommendation for the safety seat and harness system, they may use a booster seat.
Children should always be in the rear of a vehicle. If the vehicle has no rear seat, such as in a pickup truck, the child may ride in the front of the vehicle as long as the airbags have been disabled. The previous law stated that a child under eight years old and weighing under 80 pounds should only ride in the rear of a vehicle in a child safety seat.
Despite these laws that govern how children should be restrained in a vehicle, New Jersey car accidents still occur and sometimes passengers are hurt despite the best precautions.
