Safe Kids Los Angeles County Coordinator: James DeCarli
Phone: (213) 351-7888
Fax: (213) 351-2713
Email: jdecarli@ph.lacounty.gov
New California Child Passenger Safety Law-Effective
January 1, 2012
On January 1, 2012 a new child passenger safety
law became effective. The law helps to
ensure that children are "properly buckled" in motor
vehicles to prevent injury-related
hospitalizations and deaths from car accidents-one
of the top five leading causes of injury in Los
Angeles County for children 16 year of age and
younger.
Riding "improperly buckled" is the number
one reason for these injuries. Studies have shown
that while 96% of parents believe they are seating
their child properly, observational studies from
check-up events show that over 90% are incorrect.
This new law and a 5-step test will help you make
sure your child is "properly buckled" under this new
California law.
New California Law requires:
A child under the age of 8 be "properly
buckled" in a car seat or booster seat in the
back seat of a motor vehicle.
A child age 8 or older may use the
vehicle seat belt if "properly buckled". The
term "properly buckled" means: 1) with the
vehicle lap belt on the child's lap (not on
their stomach), and 2) with the shoulder belt
crossing the center of the child's chest. If
they are unable to be properly buckled in this
manner, they must ride in a booster seat so the
lap belt is on the child's lap and the shoulder
belt crosses the center of their chest (SEE THE
5-STEP TEST IN THE HANDOUTS BELOW SO YOU AND
YOUR CHILD CAN TEST THEM BEFORE RIDING IN ANY
VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE IF THEY NEED A BOOSTER
SEAT).
Everyone in the car must be "properly
buckled" up. For each child under 16 who is not
properly buckled, parents (if in the car) or
drivers can be fined more than $475 and get one
point on their driving record.
