What Are the Car Seat Laws in Georgia?

Georgia has laws in place to protect children in motor vehicle accidents – a leading cause of death for children in the state. Drivers in Georgia must properly restrain any child under 8 years old in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their size and age.

These laws cover all passenger vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks driving on Georgia roads. However, taxi cabs and public transit are exempt. Parents and guardians may also get a written statement from their doctor stating that their child has a medical condition that prevents them from being restrained as required.

What Are the Size and Age Requirements for Car Seats in Georgia?

Georgia’s car seat laws only state that the seat must be appropriate for the child’s height and weight and meet federal safety standards. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the type of car seat you need for your child depends on their age, height, and weight:

• Newborn to 1 year – The child must be in a rear-facing infant car seat. When they hit 20 pounds, they will need a seat for heavier infants.

• 1 to 3 years – When infants are at least 1 year and 20 pounds, they can switch to a front-facing toddler seat.

• 4 to 8 years – At 40 pounds, a 4-year-old may start using a booster seat. They should use both the lap and shoulder belt, with the lap belt resting across their lap – not their stomach.

• 8 years – A child 8 years and older who is at least 4’ 9” may use just a seat belt. They should also safely use both the lap and shoulder belt.

What Are Georgia’s Seat Belt Laws?

Anyone riding in the front seat of a vehicle in Georgia must wear a seat belt, regardless of their age. A minor who is 8 or older must wear a seat belt wherever they sit in the car. They should use both the lap and shoulder belts. However, they can use only the lap belt if they are at least 40 pounds and there is no lap and shoulder belt available.

If police witness a violation of Georgia’s seat belt laws, they have probable cause to pull the driver over and issue a citation. This can result in a fine of up to $25 for failure to secure a safety belt on a minor. Contact our Athens car accident attorney today.

At What Age Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Georgia?

In Georgia, children who are at least 8 years old and 57 inches tall can ride in the front seat of a car. This law protects children from the dangers of riding in the front seat, where they are vulnerable to the force of an airbag in a collision.

There is an exception if the vehicle does not have a back seat. In that case, a child under the age of 8 may sit in the front as long as they weigh at least 40 pounds and are properly restrained in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.

What Is the Fine for an Improperly Restrained Child in Georgia?

A driver who fails to properly restrain a child in a vehicle can face traffic citations and penalties. For a first incident, each improperly restrained child can result in a fine of up to $50 and a point on the driver’s license. The fine and points can double for a subsequent incident.

How Do I Safely Use a Car Seat?

Even if you follow Georgia car seat laws, there are still extra precautions you can take to protect your child in a vehicle, such as:

• Be sure your car seat is correctly installed. You can call your local fire department for free installation and inspection.
• It’s recommended that children under the age of 13 still ride in the back seat even when Georgia law allows them to ride in the front.
• You should only use a backless booster seat if your vehicle has headrests.
• Check that your child is properly secured with their seat belt or car seat harness on each trip.
• Your child should always be properly restrained, even for a short trip down the road.
• Only buy car seats that meet government safety regulations and have a good warranty period.

When Do I Have to Replace a Car Seat After an Accident?

According to the NHTSA, you should replace your child’s car seat after any moderate or severe crash. A minor crash where you wouldn’t need to replace the car seat requires that:

• You drove the vehicle from the scene.
• The door closest to the seat wasn’t damaged.
• Nobody suffered any injuries.
• The airbags did not deploy.
• The car seat has no visible damage.

If you are unsure whether to replace your car seat, you can also check with the seat’s manufacturer. However, when in doubt, it’s better to be safe and buy a new one.

Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer

Getting into a car crash with your children in the vehicle is a parent’s worst nightmare. It’s essential to ensure your child is secured in the safest way possible so they are protected in the case of a collision. Following Georgia’s car seat laws is a good place to start when determining where your child should sit in a vehicle. Get in touch with our Athens personal injury attorney.

But despite all your precautions, collisions still happen. If you or your child were injured in a Georgia car accident someone else caused, they may owe you compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and more. The team at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can help you pursue it while you focus on caring for your family. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how.

R. Alan Cleveland

An Athens resident Alan Cleveland grew up in Rockdale County. As a founding partner of the personal injury law firm of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC he proudly serves his community and provides skilled representation to injury victims and their families all around Georgia. Alan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and went on to graduate, summa cum laude, from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. He is also a graduate of Gerry Spence’s renowned Trial Lawyers College (TLC) in Wyoming. In his free time, Alan frequently speaks at continuing legal education seminars. He also volunteered as a youth baseball coach and assists with Georgia’s high school moot court competition held annually. Alan serves as a Trustee of Historic Athens and is a member of the Development Authority of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County.

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