Many risk factors come into play when a car crash occurs. Seatbelts and car seats save lives and protect passengers from serious injuries during an accident. It’s extremely important to understand the proper use of car seats to keep children safe in a collision. It’s the law in Alaska that while a vehicle is moving seatbelts must be worn and car seats be used correctly.
Choose And Use Your Child’s Car Seat Safely
Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them completely, every time you put your child in a car. Before securing a child in a car seat, ensure to install it correctly.
Rear-facing car seats should be used for infants and children weighing 20 pounds or less. The chest straps should not have slack and the chest clip should be at the child’s chest, not their stomach. Remove blankets and jackets before clipping a child into a car seat to eliminate space between the straps and child.
Children over 20 pounds and a year or more in age should use a five point harness. Compared to forward-facing, keeping a child rear-facing is safer for their head, neck, and spine. However, once a child exceeds the maximum weight for a baby seat, the seat doesn’t protect the child against an impact to the same degree.
A child who is over four years old and is less than 57 inches (4’9″) tall and under 65 pounds should be properly secured in a booster seat. Ensure the seatbelt crosses the child’s lap and rests along their shoulder, not their neck, chest, or stomach. A child may use a seat belt once over four years of age and exceeding the requirements of booster seats.
Passengers Must Be Secured Appropriately
Children between 8 and 16 years old, who don’t exceed the height and weight requirements of booster seats, may use a seat belt if the driver determines it’s appropriate. If a seat belt is not adequate for the particular child, they must be properly secured in a child safety device approved for a child of their size by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
If a passenger unbuckles their seat belt or car seat, the best thing for the driver to do is pull over and stop the vehicle. It’s the responsibility of the driver to ensure all occupants of their vehicle are using safety restraints correctly.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: Alaska Statute 28.05.095 and Senate Bill 218 | Photo
