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Car-Seat Requirements in Michigan

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, all but one state legally require properly worn seat belts, and some states require backseat passengers to buckle up, as well. All states have child restraint laws, which many have amended to protect older children. Michigan updated its in July of 2008 to extend the age of children requiring car seats or booster seats from younger than 4 years of age to children younger than 8 or less than 4 feet 9 inches tall.

  1. Infants

    • Infants should be restrained in correctly installed, rear-facing car seats until they reach at least age 1 and weigh 20 lbs. This causes the entire body to take the force in an accident, preventing a broken neck, spine injury and/or brain damage. Car seats are allowed in the front seat if all rear seats are already occupied by children younger than 4. Rear-facing car seats may not be used in the front seat of a car with airbags unless the airbags are turned off. When babies reach age 1 and weigh 20 to 40 lbs., they can be properly restrained in front-facing car seats in the back seat of a car until they reach age 4.

    Children

    • Children ages 4 to 8 are required to be properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat unless they are 4 feet 9 inches tall or taller. Booster seats must be strapped in with lap and shoulder belts. Backless booster seats are recommended for cars with backrests, while high-backed booster seats should be used in vehicles without backrests. Children over 57 inches and those age 8 through 16 must correctly wear seat belts when sitting in front and rear seats.

    Proper Restraints

    • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost three out of four child-restraint devices are not used properly. Car-seat and booster-seat inspection stations have certified technicians to show parents correct installation and use of child restraints during Child Passenger and Safety Week held September 19 to 25, 2010. Car seats should be buckled into the back seat tight enough so there is no more than an inch of movement in any direction. Harness clips should be at the child's armpit level and straps should be snug with no give.

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