A new law signed by Gov. Nathan Deal requires that all children under age 8 must be properly secured in an approved car seat or booster seat while riding in passenger automobiles, vans, and pickup trucks. The new law raises the previous requirement of under age 6 to under age 8 and is designed to protect children from abandoning their booster seat when many are too small for lap and shoulder belts to fit properly.However, children under age 8 whose height is over 4’9” or 57” are exempt from this new law. If a Parent or Guardian has a written statement from a Physician that the child has a physical or medical condition that prevents placing or restraining them as required by law, they are also exempt.
Exceptions: A child under age 8 and weighing at least 40 pounds is not exempt from other seat belt laws. They may use a lap belt only instead of a car seat or booster seat when the vehicle is not equipped with lap & shoulder belts; or when all passenger seating positions with lap & shoulder belts are being used to restrain other children. In this case, the placement of car seats / boosters seats should be evaluated to determine if they can be repositioned to provide the best protection for all children being transported.
Fine: The law provides that any person transporting an unrestrained child may receive up to a $50 fine and one point. If that offender has a second conviction, the fine may double up to $100 and two points. One citation may be written per child unrestrained or improperly restrained.
If you, or anyone you know, has questions about this law or needs advice or assistance with car seats or booster seats, ask one of our sales associates at A Room Of Their Own. We’re here to help.
