Georgia Laws Regarding Rear-Facing Car Seats
When it comes to rear-facing car seats, Georgia’s car seat laws are as follows: a child shall remain in a rear-facing car seat in a position that is facing the rear of the vehicle until they reach the age of one year old or until they have reached an approximate weight of twenty pounds (20 lbs.). However , a rear-facing car seat will remain required for an extended period of time for the majority of parents. Thus, while the law only requires a child to be rear-facing until they are about 1-year-old, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends and most parents choose to keep their child rear-facing until they are two years old or until they reach 30 pounds (30 lbs.).
The Value of Rear-Facing Car Seats
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants and toddlers up to two years old should always be placed in a rear-facing seat. This is the recommendation regardless of whether the child meets the minimum weight requirement for facing forward. The American National Standards Institute and the European Comission have similar standards, all suggesting that no child be forward-facing until reaching 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds). Evidence shows, per the AAP, that this position offers children the best protection during a crash. The child is secured and protected from the forces in a collision due to the car seat restraining movement. The entire back of the seat supports the head, neck and spine of the child. The child is unable to push against the seatback, and the head moves with the rest of the body without excessive motion. While the law in Georgia requires children face forward at 1 year of age or 20+lbs, the AAP recommends waiting until 2 years of age.
Consequences of Non-Adherence to the Law
If a Georgia operator of a motor vehicle is pulled over, and is found to have a child who does not meet the requirements of being properly secured in the required car seat or booster seat, that driver can be charged with a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and can face a fine of no less than $85.
Georgia law also requires that a child under the age of six who is less than 57 inches tall must be properly restrained in either a safety seat or booster seat. However, if the child meets the age requirement, but is taller than 57 inches, the law does not require a booster seat.
Guidelines for Selecting a Car Seat
When it comes to choosing the right rear-facing seat there are a few factors to consider. First, look at how much weight each seat accommodates. Since they grow fast and you want them to stay in the safest position possible, you will want a chair that can hold them until they are upwards of 40 pounds. That steers you toward an infant seat or a "convertible" that starts in a rear-facing position. Make sure that you understand the weight limits for each seat and will not outgrow them too fast. Size of the seat – measure the back seat like we mentioned above and see how big of a seat will fit in your car. Something to be aware of is that those bases (for infant seats) or bodies of the convertible seats that face the rear need to be propped up because of the angle, so factor that in to the overall size needed. Is there a latch system in the car? The latch was new and did not exist in the 2004 Ford Expedition. This could be a problem for the ease of installing some of the seats that require the latch to be hooked. How easy is the seat to install? Do you have to call a special number for help or can you easily figure it out? What about the harness system? This is another thing to consider because although some of the harnesses may look similar and easy , some are not. The infant seats are pretty standard but the convertible ones do vary a pretty good bit. The straps should be easy to thread through the slots in the fabric on the seat, and the buckle should be easy to operate. Again, you want comfort but also safety where the kid is concerned. You will want a very snug fit, with very little slack in those straps and a tightness to that base or body of the seat that is in your vehicle. If your budget is a concern, prices can range from $40 to $400. Just remember, the more expensive is not always the safest and the cheapest is not always going to fit in your car correctly and offer the safest ride. Infant seats are installed at a more reclined angle than a convertible seat that is in the rear-facing position. The infant seat also sits up a little, allowing the baby to see out a little better.
How to Properly Install a Rear-Facing Car Seat
It’s critical that all infants and toddlers are properly secured in a rear-facing car seat. If the car seat is not properly installed, it cannot do its job and keep your child safe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that all children under age 2 ride in a rear-facing car seat, or until they have outgrown the seat’s weight or height limit. Rear-facing car seats should be used until your child has outgrown the forward-facing car seat by weight and height. Children should stay in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, and those who outgrow their rear-facing car seats before their second birthday should be immediately placed in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
To ensure that a rear-facing car seat is correctly installed, consult both the car seat and vehicle owner manuals. If you are renting a car or using rideshare services while on vacation, you will want to familiarize yourself with how to correctly install a rear-facing car seat in that specific car. The following are some general tips and guidelines for installing a rear-facing car seat: The car seat should recline enough so that the child’s head does not fall forward. If the manufacturer instructs you to use a rolled towel, it should be positioned under the car seat where it is most reclined and not on top of the base. The child’s head should be more in line with his or her body and never cradled. Use the correct belts and straps to secure the child using the five-step test: Do not use an infant carrier for an older child or a child who can sit up alone. Once a child outgrows the weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer, she must be moved to a forward-facing car seat.
Helpful Resources for Georgia Parents
There are multiple resources in Georgia where parents can locate more information or seek assistance in installing car seats and choosing the correct one . In Georgia, the following organizations provide detailed information on car seat selection and proper installation: Kids and Cars, a national non-profit that is committed to preventing non-traffic injuries to children, has free information on its website at www.kidsandcars.org. The Georgia State Patrol also provides information regarding restraints on its website which can be located at www.gsp.state.ga.us.