I know that starting in July there is going to be a new law but i'm not sure i understand it is it 8 years old and 80 pounds or 8 years or 80 pounds? i don't get it lol = ) but i do need to know because i know i don't want to get into trouble when the time comes...Thanks Brandy

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 06:20 pm:

You can view child restraint laws at these sites.

http://www.iihs.org/safety_facts/state_laws/restrain2.htm

http://www.safekids.org

Indiana State Child Occupant Protection Law
Effective Date
07/01/2005
Law Mandate
Child Restraint
Children ages 15 and under are required to be restrained in all seating positions.*

Children ages 7 and under in all seating positions must be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat, provided that the driver holds an Indiana driver's license.

Drivers that do not hold an Indiana driver's license are required to restrain children ages 15 and under in a child safety seat or safety belt.

When Indiana does mandate child restraint use, it requires the driver to secure both the child safety seat and the child properly.

If kids are under 4'9" and don't pass the 5 Step Test they should be in a booster regardless of restraint laws.

More info:
BoosterSeat.gov

Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes: Every Child Deserves a Safe Ride



Sorry Brandy, but you had to know I was going to jump all over this one. LOL!

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 06:29 pm:

Forgot to mention, there doesn't appear to be a weight limit written into the new IN law. As soon as a child turns 8 they can "legally" ride without a booster. That doesn't mean the child will be "safe". It's not about laws, it's about lives. The laws of physics over ride the laws of man.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 06:53 pm:

New IN Booster Seat Law

Indiana Child Passenger Law

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 07:06 pm:

Speaking of seatbelts and booster seats, yesterday, I saw two kids just about hanging out of windows in cars. No way were they in boosters, obviously, but didn't even seem to have seatbelts on, either! I was horrified!

My kids were in just seatbelts at 4, since that is what was done, but they were always in a seatbelt, if they were in the car! I hate seeing kids loose in a car! Argh!