Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws
Every state in the U.S. requires the use of car seats for infants. However, states differ on the laws governing how and when those car seats must be used. Safety experts recommend more stringent guidelines than those required by law.
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The Advantage of Rear-Facing Car Seats
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Rear-facing car seats are car seats positioned so the child looks out the rear of the vehicle. Crash tests performed with crash dummies illustrate the danger to the head and neck in normal vehicle collisions. While adults have the strength to endure these crashes, many children, with growing bones and adjusting bodies, simply are not as strong. When a child is placed in a rear-facing car seat, the child's highly vulnerable head and neck areas are more protected.
Studies on Rear-Facing Car Seats
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A recent survey studied children involved in side vehicle crashes; the results showed that those children in rear-facing car seats were four times less likely to sustain damage than those in front-facing car seats. Growing research supports the fact that rear-facing car seats are safer and more protective in crashes than front-facing car seats.
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States Requiring Rear-Facing Car Seats
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Several states require rear-facing car seats for infants under the age of one or under 20 pounds. However, if a child is over 20 pounds but younger than one, he should still remain in a rear-facing car seat. Alabama, Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin all require rear-facing car seats. However, each state varies on its regulations for back-seat car seats.
States with Other Car Seat Laws
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Other states, while not requiring rear-facing car seats, do have other car seat requirements. Most states require children in a car seat until the age of four to seven; Florida only requires a car seat until the age of three.
Rear-Facing Car Seat Recommendations
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The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests rear-facing car seats until a child weighs at least 20 pounds and is at least one year of age, regardless of state requirements. Some car seats are only intended for infants up to 22 pounds; however, many rear-facing car seat manufacturers extend that limit to 32 pounds. As a result, many believe that keeping a child rear-facing as long as possible is the best scenario for infants in vehicles. As long as the infant does not exceed the seat's weight limitations, and her head is below the back of the car seat, a rear-facing car seat is best.
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