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Georgia Requirements for Child Safety in Cars
by Andrea Klooster
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Car crashes are the number one cause of death for children ages 3 to 14. Proper use of child safety seats and seat belts can prevent many injuries and deaths. Every state has laws requiring child safety seat use, but the laws vary greatly from one state to another. Georgia expanded its child passenger safety laws in 2004 to require child safety seats or booster seats for all children up to age 6.
Georgia law requires child safety or booster seats up to age 6.
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Children Under Age 6
Georgia law requires children under the age of 6 to use a federally approved, correctly installed child safety seat or booster seat appropriate to their size. Children under age 6 must sit in the rear seat of the car.
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Children Under Age 18
Children over the age of 6 but under the age of 18 are required to wear a vehicle seat belt regardless of where they sit in the car.
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Exceptions
A child under age 6, but taller than 4 feet 9 inches, may use a regular vehicle seat belt without a booster seat. A child can also be exempted from the safety seat law if a physician states in writing that there is a medical reason for this exemption. A child under age 6 may sit in the front seat if there is no rear seat in the vehicle or if all rear seating positions are occupied by other children. School buses and public transportation are exempt from the child safety seat law.
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Enforcement
Georgia has a primary safety belt law, which means that an officer can stop a vehicle and issue a citation for safety seat or seat belt violations in the absence of any other traffic violation. The penalty is $50 plus one point on the driver's license for each child in violation of the child safety law. The fine doubles to $100 for a second offense.
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recommendations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recommendations for child passenger safety exceed most state laws, including Georgia's. While these recommendations are not required by law, the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety recommends following these guidelines. Babies should ride in rear-facing child safety seats until they reach at least age 1 and weigh at least 20 pounds, but ideally until they reach the rear-facing limit of the seat. Children should be in a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness until they are at least age 4 and weigh at least 40 pounds. Booster seats should be used until at least age 8 or until the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Older children should always wear a lap and shoulder seat belt. All children age 12 and under should ride in the rear seat of the vehicle.
