MONROE, Mich. (WTVG) – A new law took effect in Michigan Wednesday in an effort to keep children safer, especially when it comes to car accidents. The Child Passenger Safety Law implements stricter guidelines for how children should be secured in a vehicle to ensure they remain safe at all times.
The number one tip 13 Action News was given is to read both your car’s instruction manual as well as the car seat’s instruction manual to make sure you are using the seat in the safest way possible.
Drivers in Michigan will now have to take a second look when securing a child in a car seat. Effective April 2, 2025, there are new laws specifically detailing how children should be secured.
“It really reduces the risk of injury to a child when they’re properly restrained. That’s the whole point of having seats like this,” said John Wall, Administrative Commander for the Monroe Public Safety Department.
From an infant to two years old, children should be placed in a rear-facing seat. From 2 to 5 years old, children can be forward-facing. Children can use a booster seat from ages five to eight, or until they are 4′9″. All children under 13 are required to ride in the back seat using just a seat belt.
“This is to protect the safety of the children in the vehicle in the event of a crash. 47% I believe of children die in crashes because they are improperly restrained,” said Lt. Rene Gonzalez, Michigan State Police First District Public Information Officer.
Christi Rogers with the Child Advocacy Network of Monroe County demonstrated exactly how these seats should be placed into cars.
“I think if you are purposely putting your child not in a safe environment, that is in fact a form of neglect, because you are neglecting to make sure that they are safe,” said Rogers. “As parents, we do everything in our power to protect our kids, so why are we not doing this to protect them as well?”
13 Action News was told the most important things to keep in mind are to read the car seat owner’s manual and the guidelines on the side of the seat because they all vary on how to be secured. Also to read the car’s manual to see how the seat should be secured.
“As parents, or as adults, it’s our obligation to ensure that they’re properly restrained in the vehicle to keep them as safe as possible when traveling,” said Wall.
Some of the most notable changes are that children being rear-facing is now for longer, and any child under 13 is required to ride in the back seat unless there is no seating, in which they can then sit up front. Law enforcement officials say you can be penalized and fined if you do not follow these laws.
You can learn more about the law here and here. If you are unsure how to properly install your car seat, you can search for a Child Passenger Safety Technician that can help you here.
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