Car Safety - Car Seats

In Georgia, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death and injuries for children ages 1 to 12 years.  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4 out of every 10 children under 6 who die or are seriously injured in auto accidents are unrestrained or improperly restrained.

According to Georgia law:

• ALL children under the age of 8 whose height is less than 57 inches must ride in the backseat of a car.  A child is safer in the back and farthest away from the force of an airbag.  Remember that airbags are designed to save adults, and since they deploy with great force they can be fatal to children.

• Children under the age of 8 are required to be in either a car seat or a booster seat suitable for their age and height.

• If there is not a back seat in the vehicle (e.g., a truck) or if other restrained children are in the back seat, Georgia law permits a child under the age of 8 to sit in front if restrained in the proper car seat or booster and the child weighs at least 40 pounds.

• Georgia’s Primary Safety Belt Law allows law enforcement officers to issue a citation if they OBSERVE a seat belt offense.  *They do not need to stop the driver for another traffic violation first, as in some other states.

• Violating these laws can result in a fine of up to $50 and one point against your license per improperly restrained child.  A second incident may double the fines and points.

Boost Your Safety
Booster seats are the most overlooked part of car seat safety.  The goal of a booster seat is to lessen the risk of injury by helping the seat belt fit properly.  Booster seats are recommended for children 4-7 years old who are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall.

When using a booster seat, remember the following:

• Use a high back model if your vehicle has low seats and no headrests.  You can use a backless model if your vehicle has a headrest.

• Use the booster seat until your child meets manufacturer weight limits or fits into a seatbelt properly.

If you are not sure if your child needs a booster seat, reference the 5-step test illustration below. 

Car seat guidelines by age (as recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Installation and Inspection

The majority of parents believe that their child’s car seat is properly installed, but according to NHTSA, 8 out of 10 car seats are installed incorrectly.  See the linked website below which contains a list of county-by-county car seat fitting locations throughout the state of Georgia. 

Child Safety Seat inspections are free of charge, but generally by appointment only. Please call your nearest inspection station to set up an appointment. Each inspection with a certified technician takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the seat and the vehicle. During the inspection, the technician will:

• Check the child safety seat to see that it has been properly installed;

• Remove and inspect the child safety seat for damage;

• Diagnose problems;

• Ensure the child safety seat is not a recalled model;

• Gather information about child occupants from the vehicle owner and ensure the child safety seat is appropriate for the size and age of the child;

• Teach the vehicle owner the correct procedure to properly and safely install the child safety seat in his or her vehicle;

• Show the vehicle owner how to secure the child in the child safety seat; and

• Discuss other vehicles and child safety seats the child may ride in and provide instructions on how to repeat the correct procedure with other seats or when installing the seat in other cars.