Major Changes To Minnesota Car Seat Laws Coming: Here’s What Parents NEED To Know!
Attention, Parents! Big changes to Minnesota car seat laws are coming August 1 – find out how they impact you and your kids! đźš— #News #Minnesota #Parents
New Regulations Effective August 1, 2024!
ST. PAUL, MN – Attention parents in Minnesota! Starting August 1, new laws will bring stricter rules for child car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. These changes aim to improve the safety of children in vehicles.
The Impact of Car Seat Use
Car crashes are a leading cause of injury and death among children in Minnesota. However, using car seats correctly can significantly reduce these risks.
Data from 2019 to 2023 shows that among the 12,827 children aged 0-7 who were properly restrained, 89% were not injured, and 10% sustained only minor injuries. Unfortunately, 20 children in this age group lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents, and only half of them were properly secured. Furthermore, of the 81 children seriously injured, only 44% were known to be properly secured.
What’s Changing?
Previously, Minnesota law required car seats to be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions on height and weight. The new law still follows this guideline but adds specific age requirements for rear-facing and forward-facing car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Notably, the booster seat requirement now extends to children up to 9 years old, an increase from the previous age of 8.
Detailed Safety Measures
The state has introduced a 5-step test to ensure the correct fit of car seats and seat belts:
- The child should sit all the way back against the vehicle seat.
- The child’s knees should bend over the edge of the vehicle seat.
- The lap belt should fit snugly across the hips, near the top of the thighs, not the abdomen.
- The shoulder belt should snugly cross the center of the chest and shoulder, not the neck.
- The child should sit correctly without slouching for the entire ride.
Specific Provisions of the New Law
Here are the key points of the new child passenger restraint system law:
Rear-Facing Seats: Children under 2 years old must be properly restrained in a rear-facing seat with an internal harness until they reach the seat’s weight or height limit.
Forward-Facing Seats: Children who are at least 2 years old and exceed the rear-facing limit must use a forward-facing seat with an internal harness until they reach the seat’s weight or height limit.
Booster Seats: Children who are at least 4 years old and exceed the forward-facing seat limit must use a booster seat with a safety belt.
Safety Belts: Children who are at least 9 years old or exceed the booster seat limit must use a safety belt correctly adjusted and fastened around the body.
Rear Seat Requirement: Children younger than 13 years old must be transported in the rear seat of a vehicle, if available, and properly restrained in a child seat, booster seat, or safety belt.
More Protective Category: Children who can fit into more than one category based on age or weight must be placed in the most protective category.
Ensuring Your Child’s Safety
These changes are designed to enhance the safety of children in vehicles. Parents should familiarize themselves with the new regulations and ensure their children are properly restrained according to the updated guidelines.
The new laws provide clear instructions to help parents make the best decisions for their child’s safety while traveling in a vehicle.
Stay informed and make sure your children are protected under the new Minnesota car seat laws. This ensures a safer ride for all young passengers.
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, and this article is not intended as legal advice. It is for informational and entertainment purposes only. For specific legal advice, please consult a qualified professional.
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