OWOSSO, Mich. — New car seat laws set to take effect on April 2 in Michigan are designed to improve safety for children, according to local authorities.
The updated regulations require children to remain in rear-facing car seats until they are 2 years old or until they exceed the car seat’s weight limits.
Owosso Community Police Officer Ryan Jenkins emphasized the importance of keeping children in the rear-facing position for as long as possible, until they reach the height and weight limits, which is typically around 50 pounds.
For forward-facing seats, children must remain in the seat until they are 5 years old or outgrow the seat’s weight limits, which are approximately 65 pounds or 49 inches.
Lt. Kyle Clute with Grand Traverse Metro Fire noted changes to booster seat laws as well.
“The booster seat, they want the state now wants you to stay in until you’re at least eight years old or you weigh out,” he said. Even if a child has outgrown a booster seat, they should remain seated in the backseat if they are under 13 years old.
“So the longer they’re in those seats, the safer they are,” Clute said, adding that the new laws provide children with the best possible chance of walking away from an accident unharmed. “These car seats or these child passenger safety seats are designed to keep your child as safe as possible in the vehicle in their seated position for their age range.”
For more information, Officer Jenkins recommends visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official website.
Parents seeking assistance with installing or checking their car seats can schedule a free car seat check with Officer Jenkins.
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