Some good reminders:
Under New York State law:
- All front seat occupants must be properly secured, regardless of age.
- All rear seat passengers under 16 years of age must be properly secured;
- Children up to the age of 4 must be properly restrained in a federally approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a seat belt or universal child restraint anchorage (LATCH) system.
- Children less than age 4 but weighing more than 40 pounds may be restrained in a booster seat with a lap/shoulder safety belt. However, a child safety seat that accommodates higher weights can be used.
- Children ages 4, 5, 6 and 7 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint* system, one for which the child meets the height and weight recommendations of the child restraint manufacturer.
- A vehicle's safety belt is NOT a child restraint system.
- Children riding in booster seats must be secured with a combination lap/shoulder seat belt, NEVER secure a child in a booster seat with only a lap belt.
- * An appropriate child restraint system is one that meets the child's size and weight recommended by the manufacturer.
