Oklahoma lawmakers try to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, which is why the state has enacted strict laws regarding car seats for young children. Hundreds of thousands of car accidents occur every year in the United States, many of which cause fatalities to young vehicle occupants. By following Oklahoma law and experts’ recommendations for safety seats, you may be able to prevent your child from becoming part of these dire statistics.
Oklahoma Laws on Car Seats
Oklahoma’s car seat laws are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Requirements depend on the age and size of the child as follows:
- Birth to age 2: Children from birth to age 2 must be properly restrained in a rear-facing infant or convertible car seat. They should remain rear-facing until they reach age 2 or they exceed the seat’s height and weight limits.
- Children under age 4: All children under age 4 must be secured in a car seat with an internal, five-point harness. Once children outgrow the rear-facing height and weight limits, they may face forward and use this type of car seat.
- Children age 4 to 8: These children must ride in a booster seat unless they are taller than 4’9”.
- Children older than 8 or taller than 4’9”: These children must use the seat belt on their lap and shoulder.
How Old Does My Child Have to Be to Ride in the Front Seat?
Many children are anxious to leave the back seat and come sit in the front seat next to their mom, dad, or other adult driver. Many kids see this as a rite of passage and for good reason: Front seats are designed for adult passengers. That’s why most cars have a warning that the back seat is the safest place for children. The seatbelts here are designed for adult passengers. Deployed airbags are also designed to come into contact with adult bodies. Additionally, infant car seats are designed for use in the back seat, so they might not function properly if used in the front seat.
While Oklahoma does not have a specific law that says how old a child must be to ride in the front seat, it is still safer for your child to stay in the back seat. Most car manufacturers recommend children remain in the back seat until they are at least age 13. If your teen rides in the front, their seat should be pushed as far back from the dashboard as possible.
Contact Our OKC Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Even if your child was not properly restrained in a car seat, you could still be eligible to file a personal injury claim if your child was injured in a car accident. This is because your child’s seat belt, or lack thereof, did not cause the crash; someone else’s negligence did. If you’d like to discuss your legal options for seeking compensation, call (405) 310-8800 to reach the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm.