The days of car safety are likely a lot different than they were when you were a child, but over time these increased safety regulations have improved the lives of kids and their parents. Fortunately, child safety seat usage is near 100% in Georgia, but until that number is a perfect 100 there will still be vulnerable children who are in danger when they are in the car.
Even if you are only doing a quick drive around the corner, it’s always crucial to properly buckle your infant or your small child to protect them in case of a car accident.
If you have children or plan on having them soon, you should carefully go over these child safety seat guidelines to prepare yourself.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT GUIDELINES IN GEORGIA
In the state of Georgia, car accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12—and the lack of use or improper use of car seats contributes to this statistic. 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 were unrestrained or improperly restrained. But when child safety seats are used correctly they are 71% effective in preventing injury among infants and 54% effective with children ages 1-4.
Georgia state law says that all children under the age of 8 and all children whose height is less than 57 inches must ride in the backseat of the car. Airbags can pose a great danger to children—and can even fatally injure them—and it’s best for those under eight and it’s safer when they are further away from the force of it during an accident. If the vehicle does not have a backseat (such as a pick-up truck), then a child can safely ride in the front seat as long as they weigh 40 pounds and have a booster seat.
In addition, children under the age of 8 should also be in a car seat or a booster seat that is appropriate for their age and height. Once in their car seats or booster seats, a seatbelt must be used according to the seat’s manufacturer’s instructions. If a parent is caught violating seatbelt laws, they are fined and will have one point against their license on the grounds of an “improperly restrained child.”
Has your child been injured in an accident in Georgia even though you took the proper safety precautions? If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills. Call the Fry Law team today at (404) 969-1284 for more information.
