N.J. Car Seat Laws Will Change Next Month; What Parents Need to Know

By CARLY KILROY (Patch Staff)

With additional reporting by Eric Kiefer

Does your child need a new car or booster seat? They might, as of Sept. 1.

Earlier this year, Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation which changes the way parents and caretakers must use car seats in the state of New Jersey.

Those revisions will go into effect on Sept. 1.

New Jersey state law currently requires all children under the age of 8, weighing less than 80 lbs., to ride in the back seat of a vehicle in either a child safety seat or booster seat. Those under the age of 8, and those between the ages of 8 and 18, are only required to wear a regular safety belt.

“In New Jersey we have not updated our child seat safety laws in more than 30 years, which means we need to catch up with the modern capabilities of the car seats for the safety of our kids,” New Jersey Sen. Jim Beach told 101.5 prior to the legislation going to vote in March.

Sen. Beach was the prime sponsor of the bill aimed to update the current laws, which he called“antiquated” and “vague.”

Here’s how the revised law will work according to each age group:

Infant to age 2:

• Car seats must remain rear-faced in the vehicle if the child is under 30 lbs. and under the age of 2. The car seat also has to have a five-point harness.

• Once the child has exceeded the weight and age limited, the car seat can be faced forward.

Ages 2 to 4:

• Children under the age of 4 or under 40 lbs. must remain in either a rear-facing or a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness in the back seat of a vehicle.

• Once the child has exceeded the weight or age limited, they can switch over to a booster seat.

Ages 4 to 8:

• Children under the age of 8 or height requirement of 57 inches tall must remain in the back of the vehicle in a booster seat.

• Once the child has exceeded the weight and height limited they are eligible to use a regular seat belt.

When can my child sit in the front seat?

• A child can sit in the front seat of a vehicle if that vehicle does not have a back seat - such as a pick-up truck or a sports car. However, the car seat and booster seat regulations still apply (i.e. Car seats must remain rear-faced in the vehicle if the child is under 30 lbs. and under the age of 2).

• Also, the vehicle’s passenger-side airbag must be disabled if a rear-facing car seat is strapped into the front seat of the vehicle.

What if I don’t comply with the law?

• Those who don’t follow the new laws will face fines ranging from $50 to $75 beginning in September. Before the revisions, the fines were only $10 to $25.

FREE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS

Not sure if your car seat complies with the new law, or unsure if you installed it correctly?

Visit the Essex-Morris Child Safety Seat Station for a free inspection at 120 Dorsa Ave. in Livingston.

From September through May, the station is open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, weather permitting.

In June, July and August, the station is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, weather permitting.

For more information about the free inspections call 973-971-6477.