Washington State Child Passenger Safety Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there any exceptions to children having to stay rear-facing until 2 years? What about their legs?
A: The reason for extended rear-facing is to provide the best protection for a child. It provides better protection to their head, neck and spine. Some parents express concern about leg injuries however they are almost non-existent in rear-facing children. They are also worried about comfort for their child. A child is flexible and will find a comfortable spot for their legs. Their joints are far more flexible than ours are as adults. To us, sitting with your legs crossed or propped up for an extended period of time, seems uncomfortable; however young children handle it without a problem.
Q: I have a 14 year old child that is 4’8” tall. Do they have to use a booster?
A: Washington’s Child Restraint Law covers vehicle occupants up to the age of 16 years old. Passengers can legally ride in the front seat of the vehicle at the age of 13. At this time, their body has had time to mature; their cartilage has strengthened to become more bone-like, intercostal muscles on rib cage are strengthening, fat is developing around their internal organs for protection, and their body has come into proportion of their head size. Law enforcement will be focusing on children 12 years and younger as they are more susceptible to injury in a crash.
If your child is under 16 and does not pass the 5-step test which ensures proper seat belt use; you may choose to have them continue with a booster seat.
Q: My mother is 43 years old but only 4’8”; does she need a booster seat?
A: Washington’s Child Restraint Law covers vehicle occupants up to the age of 16 years old.
A child’s body is very different from that of an adult. They are much more susceptible to injury or fatality in a crash for many reasons. Here are some…
- Head size is much larger in proportion to the rest of their body; which increases chance of spinal cord injury.
- Skeleton is made of cartilage and is turning to bone. Cartilage doesn’t absorb the energy generated in a crash like bone and allows intrusion to internal organs.
- Pelvic wall and rib cage are not fully developed; exposing internal organs.
- Lacks muscle structure and connective tissue; their chest wall is more flexible; it bends which allows intrusion.
- Brain, and other organs, has less of a fat layer that provides protection.
Q: I am having difficulty finding an appropriate booster for my child who is 7 years old and weighs over 100 pounds. Any suggestions?
A: Fortunately, the market provides more selection on booster seats with a higher weight limit. Here are just of few on the market. Do your research and be sure to purchase the best seat for your child and vehicle.
Q: What if we have a large family and all four children, who are under 13 years old don’t fit in the back seat?
A: Washington’s Child Restraint law does include exceptions for large families. If the rear seat positions are occupied by properly restrained children, you may allow a child to sit in the front seat. Continue to ensure they are properly restrained (NEVER rear-facing in front of an airbag); however, they can be forward-facing and moved as far back from the dash/windshield as possible.
Q: My truck (or car) does not even have a back seat. Does that mean I can’t transport my 10 year old because they would be in the front seat?
A: Washington’s Child Restraint Law RCW 46.61.687 does have an exception for vehicles without a back seat; or seats that don’t allow installation of child restraints. Most vehicles without a back seat provide an option of turning the passenger side airbag off. Refer to your owner’s manual of the vehicle on proper use.
Q. I want to ensure I am transporting my child safely and legally however I am struggling to find a restraint that goes over 120 pounds. Any suggestions?
A: This can be a challenge and hoping the industry will provide additional options in the future as the need does exist. Even though a child is larger than his/her peers; their body still needs time to mature and grow stronger. It is what’s on the inside that counts.
Booster seat: https://www.combiusa.com/Kobuk-Air-Thru-Booster-Car-Seat-p/8970.htm 125 pounds 57 inches
Travel vest: https://www.ezonpro.com/our-products/transportation-vests/adjustable-push-button-vest-with-loops/ this is an example which goes to 168 pounds and uses tether(s) with installation.
You may find additional options by searching the internet or here…
Q: I use my vehicle for a ride-sharing company like Uber or Lyft. I heard that “for-hire” vehicle are exempt from the child restraint laws. Is that true?
A: In order to be exempt from the child restraint requirements, a “for hire” vehicle will be registered as such and it will be indicated on the registration under “use” field as F/H or CAB. Most taxi cab companies have their vehicles registered as such.
Personal vehicles used as a ride-hailing company, such as Uber or Lyft, are not exempt from Washington’s child restraint law unless they have the proper registration.
Even when exempt, it is important to ensure all occupants are properly restrained to avoid any liability in the event of a crash.
Q: What about school buses? Shouldn’t they have seat belts on them?
A: School buses are exempt from the child restraint law. We are all familiar with the large, yellow buses that regularly transport children to school. One of the main reasons belts aren’t required on all school buses is that, statistically speaking, buses are relatively safe. They are large, tall, have flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, reinforced sides, a bright color, and stop arms. They also have “compartmentalization” – the interior of the large bus provide occupant protection without the use of a seat belt. Some states are increasing requirements of seat belts on school buses and Washington has begun discussions.
The Multi-function school activity bus or MFSAB type vehicles will continue to be exempt from Washington’s child restraint law requirements as well. Those that do not have the traffic control devices are not allowed to be used for picking up children at bus stops for to and from school travel. They may be used for activity trips.
Vehicles providing shuttle services between parking, convention and hotel facilities and airport terminals are also exempt.
An exemption does not ensure the safest mode of protection when traveling in a motor vehicle.
Q: I am planning on renting an RV and taking my children on vacation this summer. Can I install their seats in the living area of the RV and have them ride in them?
A: Here is the unified statement from the Manufacturer’s Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (MACPS); a group made up of representatives from the child restraint system and vehicle manufacturer industries.
Car seats are designed for the FMVSS 213 bench and motor vehicle seats meeting the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard definitions of ‘passenger car’ and ‘multipurpose passenger vehicle’. A ‘recreational vehicle’ or ‘RV’ is neither. Standard No. 208 – Occupant Crash Protection Standard, in the section that is specific to recreational vehicles, states that rear designated seats in motor homes are excluded from the rear lap/shoulder belt requirements. While RVs may meet some Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, they are only required to comply with seat belt standards for the front passengers, but not for any rear occupants that may be traveling in Class A, Class C, or Class B RVs. Though these rear occupant seat belts are usually bolted to the floor, the biggest concern is that the wooden seat structure, on which the passenger is sitting will fail and cause injury in a crash. NHTSA does not currently crash test RVs with adults or child occupants. For these reasons, it is not recommended to rely on car seats to protect children while travelling in recreational vehicles.
Our recommendation is to choose a non-motorized tow-able RV, so that children can be restrained properly in the passenger vehicle that is towing the RV. If using a coach, have an adult drive a second car in which the children can ride so they can be restrained properly. Contact your child’s car seat manufacturer and your RV manufacturer directly for more information.
(August 2016)
Q: My family is planning on taking a flight to see relatives this summer. We will be traveling with our two young children; ages four years and 10 months old. Should we check in their car seats as luggage when we fly?
A: Here is the unified statement from the Manufacturer’s Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (MACPS); a group made up of representatives from the child restraint system and vehicle manufacturer industries.
MACPS encourages all caregivers to secure children in their own car seats secured correctly on their own airline seat. Caregivers have the option to check with a gate agent to see if there are any adjacent vacant seats to secure a car seat in the case where an airline seat has not been pre-purchased for the child. To check for FAA Certification, please locate the label that has the verbiage “This child restraint is certified for use on aircraft.
Car seats are designed to withstand most motor vehicle crash forces. In general, the MACPS does not consider a gate-checked car seat or a car seat that is checked as luggage to be one that has experienced forces equivalent to a motor vehicle crash. Once the destination is reached, it is recommended to inspect the car seat to make sure no visual damage has occurred and all aspects of the car seat function properly.
(August 2012)
Q: My family just moved into a new house where golf carts are regularly used to travel within the community. Am I able to install the car seat on the golf cart so I can take my child with me?
A: Here is the unified statement from the Manufacturer’s Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (MACPS); a group made up of representatives from the child restraint system and vehicle manufacturer industries.
Car seats are designed for the FMVSS 213 bench and motor vehicle seats meeting the federal motor vehicle safety standard definitions of “passenger car” and “multipurpose passenger vehicle.” In both these definitions, “low speed vehicle” is excluded. While low speed vehicles may meet some federal motor vehicle safety standards, they are not the same standards as passenger cars or multipurpose passenger vehicles, and therefore, car seats may not perform as designed when used in those vehicle types. It is not recommended to rely on car seats to protect children while travelling in low speed vehicles. Most car seat manufacturers prohibit use of car seats in low speed vehicles. Refer to the individual car seat manufacturers for more information.
(March 2011)
Q: Is it true that car seats have an expiration date? Do they have to be replaced after a collision?
A: This is a common question asked by caregivers. The answer is…Yes, child restraints do expire and most should be replaced after the vehicle they are installed is involved in a crash. Washington State is a proper use state; which means you must follow all manufacturer’s instructions to legally transport your child.
To help consumers understand the reasons car seats have limited lifespans, JPMA and its manufacturer members offer the following explanation.
Car seats and booster seats are safety devices designed to protect children from crash forces, and they have limited useful lives identified by their manufacturers. Consumers must not use children’s car seats or booster seats beyond their stated useful life or expiry dates to avoid potential risks that could lead to less than optimal performance. Most state and provincial laws require proper use of these devices in accordance with manufacturer instructions, and these instructions include statements of useful life.
Some of the considerations manufacturers use to determine a model’s useful life include:
- Crash history – A car seat or booster seat is designed to provide protective benefits in a single moderate to severe crash, and then must be replaced. Even a minor crash can cause some damage. Knowing and remembering the full history of a car seat or booster seat and permanently discarding a seat that has been in a crash is important to the safety of the child. Check manufacturer instructions for replacement guidance.
- Regulatory changes – All car seats and booster seats must meet stringent performance standards. With new research these safety regulations continue to improve, and manufacturers make appropriate changes to ensure compliance. Regulations are not retroactive, and seats that are beyond their useful life may not offer the same protective benefits.
- Voluntary improvements – In addition to regulatory changes, car seat and booster manufacturers voluntarily improve designs to provide additional safety benefits. While current models include these improvements, expired car seats and boosters may not.
- Missing or damaged parts – Car seats have many functional parts, and over time some parts may become damaged or lost. Their components are exposed to environmental factors like food, drinks, dirt, debris, cleaners and other contaminants that may degrade the car seat’s effectiveness.
- Labels and instructions – To fully benefit from car seats and boosters, instructions must be followed and the required labels must be legible. Over time, regular use of these devices may result in lost instructions or damaged labels. In addition, instructions and labels are often changed or improved based on research and field performance.
Consult your manufacturer instructions to learn the useful life of your car seat.
A car seat or booster seat that has reached its stated useful life should be permanently disposed of so it cannot be reused by other families. Prior to disposing of or recycling the car seat, remove the padding, cut the harnesses and label the plastic shell with a permanent marker as, “Expired. Do not use.”
Q: I am pregnant. Is it safe to wear a seat belt?
A: YES! You need to wear your seat belt in the vehicle even when you are pregnant. It protects you and your unborn child in a crash. The correct way to wear your seat belt is to position the shoulder belt on the shoulder and away from the neck. It should rest across your chest and all the slack should be removed from the seat belt.
Never place the shoulder belt under your arm or behind you back.
The Lap belt should be secured below your belly so that it fits snugly across your hips and pelvic bone.
Never place the lap belt over or on top of your belly.
For additional information visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/pregnant-seat-belt-use.pdf
Q: We were involved in a collision. Do I need to replace my car seat? What if my child wasn’t in the seats at the time? What if the vehicle was or wasn’t a total loss? Will my insurance cover replacement of the car seat?
A: ALWAYS follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on seat replacement. Here is an example from one manufacturer.
Graco recommends replacing the car seat in the event of any type of accident. Even if there appears to be no damage to the car seat on the surface, the impact and force of a collision can cause unseen internal structural damage to your car seat. Any such damage may prohibit your car seat from properly protecting your child in the event of a sudden stop or crash.
During an accident, the car seat may experience crash energy that damages the seat, externally or internally, even if the seat was unoccupied.
Sometimes there can be internal damage to the car seat that is not externally visibly. This internal damage could affect the safety performance of the car seat, so we err on the side of caution to protect our consumers. That is why we recommend consumers replace their car seats after an accident.
Some car seat manufacturers do not recommend purchasing a new car seat if the accident was minor because they follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommendation that you only need to replace a car seat after a moderate or severe crash. https://saferide4kids.com/blog/restraints-after-crash/
Check with your insurance provider to determine if seat replacement is covered in your policy/agreement. You may need to provide a copy of the car seat manual or statement from the car seat manufacturer that the seat must be replaced.
Q: I would like to use a mirror so I can keep an eye on my child when I am driving the car. I heard that they aren’t allowed. Is that true?
A: First of all, you certainly don’t want to use or add anything that may cause a distraction to your responsibility of driving; be sure your attention is on the control of the vehicle. A child in a properly harnessed and installed child restraint is safe. A mirror may become a projectile in a crash.
Some additional items to consider on mirror use:
- The Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (MACPS) harmonized statement “Accessories/Non-regulated Products – Never use accessories that are not specifically recommended by your car seat manufacturer for use with your car seat. The safety and performance of your car seat and or the vehicle seat belt may be diminished. Check your instructional manual, consult with customer service or review the website of the manufacturer for your car seat and your vehicle before using any child restraint accessory.”
- Accessory mirrors are not regulated. Therefore, use of the mirror can’t be guaranteed safe.
- There are some mirrors that are vehicle or child restraint specific. The mirrors MUST be used properly. They still pose the risk of becoming a projectile or making contact with the child if involved in a collision.
- It is the caregivers choice whether to use a mirror. A technician’s role is to educate so they can make an informed decision.
Q: I am planning a vacation with my 3 year old and really don’t want to pack a full size car seat around when we travel. Is a ridesafer vest a good option?
A: A ridesafer vest has been used by families on vacation to help ensure their child continues to ride safely after arriving at their destination. It is important to follow all manufacturer’s instructions, ensure your child fits the minimum requirements of the vest, and
- It is purchased from an authorized retailer. Click on the links to go to the correct seller Where to Buy (Authorized Sellers) – RideSafer
- When buying from Amazon, be sure to purchase from “Sold by: Amazon” or “Sold by: KTL kids” or “Sold by: Safe Ride 4 Kids”. Other sellers are not authorized and may be selling very old or counterfeit stock.
- Be sure to have a “test run” with your child before your trip. Especially if this is the first time your child sits in the car in a child restraint system other than a traditional car seat.
- Please ensure that your child stays in position throughout the trip. The child’s bottom must be against the vehicle seatback and not slouching or sliding under the lap belt.
- If your child likes to look out of the window, remember that only the TravelSmarter Booster Seat is approved to be used with the vest.