age limit for booster seat in maryland
Most kids need to ride in a booster seat from about age 4 until age 10-12. If your child isn’t using a booster, try the simple test below the next time you ride together in the car. You'll probably find that your child is not yet ready to use a safety belt without a booster. The 5-Step Test 1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? 2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat? 3. Martin O’Malley, Governor Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor John M. Colmers, Secretary, DHMH. Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Maryland KISS Program. Protect your children as they ride! The back seat is the safest. Boosters Are For Big Kids. Most kids need to ride in a booster seat from about age 4 until age 10-12. If your child isn’t using a booster, try the simple test below the next time you. ride together in the car. Children under age 8 and under 66 lbs. must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards appropriate for the child’s weight and height. When the passenger side front airbag is active, children younger than age 6 or less than 60 lbs. must be in the rear seat, if available. Children 4 and 5 years of age or 40-60 lbs. must be restrained in a booster seat. Children ages 1 until 4 or 20-40 lbs. must be restrained in a forward-facing child safety seat. Children under age 1 year or less than 20 lbs. must be restrained in a rear-facing child safety seat. Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Maryland KISS Program Protect your children as they ride! The back seat is the safest. Children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat. * “Child restraint” includes car seats, booster seats, or other federally approved safety devices. Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law Children under age 16 must be restrained in a seat belt or a child safety seat. All children under age 8 must be secured in a child safety seat unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller. Violation of the child restraint law is a standard offense. Booster Seats. After age 4 and 40+ pounds and behavior maturity*, children can ride in a booster seat with the adult lap and shoulder belt until the adult safety belt will fit them properly (usually when the child is 10 – 12 years old). MUST have a lap/shoulder belt to use a booster seat. For best protection, all children should ride in the back seat until they are ready to drive. It's twice as safe as the front seat. SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. P.O. Box 553, Altadena, CA 91003 www.carseat.org 310/222-6860, 800/745-SAFE (English) 310/222-6862, 800/747-SANO (Spanish) #630 Pg. 1 (8-17-09) NO NO I like my booster! 1 The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued recommendations in their April 2011 publication, Pediatrics, addressing best practice when transporting children. 2  Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths: In 2010, there were 49 children in the U.S. killed by vehicular heatstroke.
Children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat.