I'm confused about child car seat laws in California. I have not been able to find a person or website (CHP's website is down indefinitely) who can answer the following two questions:
(1) Can my 8-year-old neice, who weighs approx. 80 pounds, ride in the front passenger seat of my car, a Honda Civic? According to some websites I've read, a child older than 6 who weighs more than 60 pounds may ride in the front passenger seat without a booster seat assuming that the shoulder and lap belt that comes with my car is used properly, but my neice's mother says that she may not until she is 12!
(2) Must a child be at least one year old AND weigh at least 20 pounds to switch from facing backward to facing forward? Must a child be at least one year old OR weight at least 20 pounds to switch from facing rear to facing forward? Is the critical weight 22 pounds, not 20 pounds?
Help. I need to find out soon as my younger son will turn one in about six weeks and my elder son, who is 25 months old and weighs 24 pounds, still falls under the minimum age limit required for his parents to not need to know all these detailed laws.
I called CHP. The officer I spoke to told me that (1) a child may ride in the front seat without an infant/child car seat when he reaches the age of six and the weight of 60 pounds and (2) a child must face the rear until he is at least one AND he weighs at least 20 pounds. Therefore, my neice, legally can ride in my front passenger seat, although I just found out her mom doesn't want her to ride in the front seat (as she is concerned that her daughter will fight over the radio station with her), and my younger son will probably not start facing forward as soon as he turns one.
Thanks for your help.
http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/PUB26...
This is the direct link to the child car seat law poster mandated by California to be posted at all child care/preschool facilities.
Well, what about going down to your local Fire Dept...they should be able to answer such questions there.
In the situation w/ your sisters kid(s), if thats how she feels about where she does or doesnt want her child to be in a car, that is for her to decide.
Maybe you could also ask about this when you go ask about your own kids and then you can take this info to her.
In the end it is still only her choice...she just wants to make sure that her child will be safe no matter who shes with!
The car seat law is 8 years and 80 pounds. It does not discuss putting a child into the front seat. I spoke with the CHP and they told me to keep the kids in the back seat until they're "adult sized". Given the potential risks, I absolutely agree with your nieces's mom.. You might want to call them yourself.
The Encino police station was very helpful answering any questions I had. Try giving them a call!
Hello, Lynne,
If your niece or another child of appropriate age and size rides up front with you, make sure the air bag is OFF.
My best,
T.
Hi!
I don't know the laws on older children. But the younger law is 1 year old AND 20 pounds. But it is recommended you keep them backward facing as long as they fit that way comfortably. It is a lot safer as long as their legs are not crunched!
The only thing I can tell you about your 6 year old neice is that sitting in the front is extremely dangerous because of the airbages.
And even if you know 100% that is is the law...if her mother believes differantly, you gotta go with that. A momma is the end all law:)
From what I remember when researching car seat/booster questions the answers are:
1) a child may ride in the front passenger when they are 12.
2) a child must be one year AND 20 pounds before you can turn the car seat around to face forward. This one I'm sure of.
I wish I had a website to steer you toward. Consumer Reports may have something. And you might want to call your local police station. I know they install car seats, so they may be able to answer your questions.
