Child Seat Information

Child Car Seat Information

One-Minute Safety Checkup for Car Seats

Using a car seat correctly makes a big difference. Even the "safest" seat may not protect you child in a crash, so take a minute to check to be sure....

Please see Title 46.2, Article 13 of the Virginia Motor Vehicle Code for further information.

Do you have the instructions?

Follow them and keep then with your seat for use as your child grows older.
Use your vehicle owner's manual for help in fastening the seat in securely.

Is your child facing the right way for both weight and age?

If you use a seat made only for infants, always face it backwards.
A baby should ride facing the back of the car up to at least 20 lbs and age one.

If you have a passenger-side air bag, does your infant ride in the back seat?

The impact from an air bag can seriously injure or kill a baby riding in front in a rear-facing safety seat. Carry your baby in back, facing the rear (See Va. Code 46.2-1095).

Is the vehicle safety belt in the right place and pulled tight?

The belt must go in the correct, marked path to hold the seat in place.
A convertible seat faces backward for an infant and forward for a toddler, it has a different belt path for each direction.

Is the harness snug; does it stay on her shoulders?

Shoulder straps go in the lowest slots for babies riding backward, and in the top slots for children facing forward.
The retainer clip at armpit level holds harness straps on the shoulders.

Does your child use a booster seat, if he is close to 40 pounds and has out-grown his convertible seat?

A booster seat helps the safety belt protect your child until he grows big enough to fit the belt alone.
A booster seat with no shield is used only with a lap and shoulder belt. Use a booster with a shield if your car has only lap belts.

Has your child's car seat been recalled? Have you fixed it?

Call the Auto Safety Hotline (800-424-9393) for a list of recalled seats.

Va. Code 46.2-1095. Child restraint devices required when transporting certain children; safety belts required for other children less than sixteen years old required.

A. Any person who drives on the highways of Virginia any motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968, shall ensure that any child, through age of eight, whom he transports therein is provided with and properly secured in a child restraint device of a type which meets the standards adopted by the United States Department of Transportation. Further, rear-facing child restraint devices shall be placed in the back seat of a vehicle. In the event the vehicle does not have a back seat, the child restraint device may be placed in the front passenger seat only if the vehicle is either not equipped with a passenger side airbag or the passenger side airbag has been deactivated.

B. Any person transporting a child at less than sixteen years old, except for those required pursuant to subsection A to be secured in a child restraint device, shall ensure that such child is provided with and properly secured by an appropriate safety belt system when driving on the highways of Virginia in any motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968, equipped or required by the provisions of this title to be equipped with a safety belt system, consisting of lap belts, shoulder harnesses, combinations thereof or similar devices.

C. A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages in a civil action.

D. A violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons.

E.. Nothing in this section shall apply to taxicabs, school buses, executive sedans, limousines or the rear cargo area of vehicles other than pickup trucks.

Anyone requiring assistance with putting a child safety seat in their vehicle may visit the police department at 333 W. Locust Street or call the department at (540) 965-6333.

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