Drivers must do everything they can to keep children safe while they are passengers in their vehicles. This includes ensuring they are correctly secured in their seats. If you are a parent or caregiver in Texas, you should be familiar with the state’s child passenger safety laws and know at what age kids can sit in the front seat of a car.
Here, our car accident lawyer in Central Texas at Burch Law Firm provides straightforward answers to some of the most frequent questions we get about child passenger safety.
Child Safety Laws for Motor Vehicles in Texas
Under Texas law, drivers must secure child passengers under age 8 in a “child passenger safety seat system” unless that child is taller than 4-foot-9. A driver who fails to follow this law could face fines of up to $250.
Most children under age 8 in Texas must be restrained in a car safety seat. These seats must meet the federal standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, various types of child car safety seats are available, depending on a child’s age and size.
Types of Child Car Safety Seats
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there are four stages of child passenger safety to consider when choosing a child car safety seat. The NHTSA provides the following guidance on the four types of car seats:
- Rear-facing car seats – These seats are best for newborns, small babies, and young children under 3. A child should remain in a rear-facing seat until they reach the height or weight limit recommended by the car seat manufacturer. Rear-facing car seats should always be placed in the back seat.
- Forward-facing car seats – Once a child outgrows a rear-facing car seat, they are ready for a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. Typically used from age 4 to 7, forward-facing seats should remain in the back seat of a car.
- Booster seats – A child who outgrows a forward-facing car seat according to the manufacturer’s weight and height limits is ready for a booster seat. A booster seat will raise and position a child to allow the seat belt to fit properly. These seats should always be used in the back seat.
- Seat belts – Once a child turns 8, they are no longer required to use a child car safety seat in Texas and can use only the seat belt.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Texas?
Texas law does not directly specify when a child can sit in the front seat. However, it does require all child safety seat systems to be used according to the manufacturers’ manuals. Vehicle manufacturers typically recommend keeping all children 12 years old and younger in the back seat.
Injuries that Impact Children During Auto Accidents
Children are especially vulnerable in the event of a car accident and may suffer injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
For All Personal Injury Cases, Contact the Burch Law Firm Today
If you, your child, or a loved one suffered an injury in a car accident someone else caused, contact the personal injury attorneys at the Burch Law Firm right away. Our car accident attorneys in New Braunfels can help you pursue the compensation you need for injuries and related losses after a crash.
