Child Passenger Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children older than age 2. A total of 1,045 children younger than age 13 died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2008; nearly 700 of these deaths were children riding in passenger vehicles. The number of child passenger deaths has declined by half since 1975. The rate of child passenger deaths per million children also has fallen dramatically, reaching a record low of 13 deaths per million children in 2008.

Proper restraint use can help reduce deaths even more. The proportion of fatally injured children who were restrained rose from 15 percent in 1985 to 50 percent in 2008. Still, more than 260 fatally injured child occupants were unrestrained in 2008, and others were improperly restrained.

What are Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Laws?

Transportation Article 22-412.2 (Child Restraints)

Maryland’s current law (effective June 30, 2008) requires that children under eight years old to ride in an appropriate child restraint,* unless the child is 4’9” or taller or weighs more than 65 pounds.

*Child restraint includes car seats and booster seats and other federally approved safety devices.

Every child from 8 to 16 years old who is not secured in a child restraint must be secured in the vehicle’s seat belt.
This law is applicable to in-state and out-of-state vehicles.
It is the driver’s responsibility for making sure all children are correctly buckled up

If you are in need of a car seat or booster seat, contact KISS at 800-370-SEAT (7328) for a referral to a local car seat loaner program.

Transportation Article 22-1121 (Children in Rear of Pick-up Trucks)

Children under the age of 16 may not ride in the bed of an unenclosed pick-up truck.

**Please note: Some jurisdictions, such as Anne Arundel County, have local Ordinances that prohibit anyone from riding in the bed of an unenclosed pickup truck. If you have questions, contact your county or local police department.

Does Maryland Law prohibit children from riding in the front seat?

Maryland’s child passenger safety laws do not prohibit children from riding in the front seat. The exception is placing a rear-facing child in the front seat with an active air bag. If a driver is unable to turn off an air bag, it is a violation of law (as well as a terrible danger to the baby!) to place a rear-facing child in the front seat. Click here to view bag video clip.

**Please note: KISS and other child passenger safety experts strongly recommended all children under age 13 ride in the back seat. Research conducted and published in a report by Partners for Child Passenger Safety clearly shows that children are 40% less likely to be seriously injured when properly restrained in the back seat. Click here to view the report. on safe seating positions,

What does Maryland Law say about taxis and car seats?

Currently, taxis are exempt from the law. They are not required to transport children using car seats. However, KISS recommends that you follow Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety laws when your children are riding in these vehicles.

Which type of child safety seat should I use for my child?

The best seat for your child depends on your child's height, weight, and age.

INFANTS
All infants should ride rear-facing in back seats until they are at least 1 year of age and 20 pounds. Infant seats are small seats with a handle for easy carrying. Many snap into a base that is attached to the vehicle. Ideally, infants should remain rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the height and weight limit of the child restraint. A seat with a higher weight limit may be needed if infants reach 20 pounds before their first birthday. Some rear-facing seats have weight limits up to 35 pounds. Many convertible seats have higher weight limits than infant seats and can be used rear-facing for infants and then forward-facing when children are ready. Three-in-1 seats are designed to be used rear-facing, forward-facing, and as boosters as children grow.
Infant Seat	Convertible Seat	3-in-1

TODDLERS
Children should ride rear-facing as long as possible, but children who are 1 year old and 20 pounds can ride in forward-facing child restraints in rear seats. They should remain in forward-facing child restraints until about age 4 and at least 40 pounds, although some forward-facing seats have weight limits up to 65 and even 80 pounds. Toddler seats are forward-facing seats with a harness for children up to 80 pounds depending on the model. Convertible seats or 3-in-1 seats can be used forward-facing for toddlers. Combination seats are designed for use as forward-facing restraints for toddlers, and then as belt-positioning boosters once children have reached the weight limit of the harness. Built-in child safety seats are in some vehicles and vary in their weight limits. Travel vests are harnesses with adjustable straps that are tethered to vehicle seat backs and provide an alternative to forward-facing seats.
Convertible seat	Combination seat
Toddler Seat	3-in-1

CHILDREN 4-8 YEARS OLD
Children should ride in harness-equipped child restraints as long as possible, up to the height and weight limit of the seats. When they have outgrown child restraints, children should use belt-positioning booster seats until adult seat belts fit properly, usually when a child reaches 4'9" in height and 80 pounds. Boosters elevate children to improve the fit of the vehicle's three-point safety belts, which are designed for adults and not children. There are highback boosters, backless boosters, and built-in boosters. Some dual-use highbacks convert to backless by removing their backs. Highbacks have built-in guides to route shoulder belts and lap belts and can offer some head support in vehicles without head restraints in the rear seat. Backless have lap belt guides but may need a plastic clip to properly position shoulder belts in many vehicles. Combination and 3-in-1 seats are designed to be used as boosters as children grow. In booster mode, parents remove the built-in harness and use the vehicle lap and shoulder belts to restrain their child. Some manufacturers have built-in booster seats in their vehicles.
Highback booster	Backless booster	Built-in booster

TWEENS
Children should use boosters until adult seat belts fit properly. The lap belt should rest across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should fit snuggly across the center of the shoulder. Children should be able to sit against the seatback with their knees bent at the edge of the seat. The shoulder belt should never be tucked under a child's arm or behind the back.

What are Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Laws?

Does Maryland Law prohibit children from riding in the front seat?

What does Maryland Law say about taxis and car seats?

Which type of child safety seat should I use for my child?

Resources and Links

RESOURCES