On July 1, a new Virginia law went into effect making it mandatory for all children who are two years old or younger, to be in a rear-facing car seat, or until they meet the minimum weight requirements for a forward facing car seat as prescribed by the manufacturer of the safety seat. Virginia joins nine other states that have adopted similar laws: California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

Supporters of this law say it will keep more children safe from neck and spine injuries in an accident. The American Auto Association (AAA), American Academy of Pediatrics, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Centers for Disease Control and others, all recommend the age of two for rear facing seats.

“I was not aware of this law change, and I’m sure there are other parents just hearing this,” said Gas Turbine System Technician-Mechanical 1st Class Paige Bizzell. “My 16-month old son is currently in a front facing seat, but according to the requirements he meets the minimum age and weight requirements.”

Under the current law, a doctor could grant an exception if it is determined that the use of a child restraint system is impractical for the child’s weight, height, physical unfitness or other medical reasons. A signed written statement from a physician must be carried at all times.

Virginia’s Child Safety Belt Law requires that all children ages 8 to 17 be belted in vehicle safety belts. This safety belt law is primary enforcement which means no other violation need be committed prior to ticketing. First violations of the law are subject to a civil penalty of $50 and second or subsequent offenses are subject to a civil penalty of up to $500. All civil penalties collected for violations will go to the Child Restraint Device Special Fund, used to promote, purchase and distribute child restraint devices to applicants unable to afford one.

According to Safe Kids, rear-facing seats disperse the crash force more evenly across the back of the seat and the child’s body and limit the motion of the head, reducing the potential of neck injury. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children are about 75 percent less likely to die or sustain serious injury in a rear-facing seat.

“I’m all for keeping all children as safe as possible, especially in vehicles. Even before this law change, I always made sure to take all safety precautions when securing my child,” said Quartermaster 1st Class Shakeeta Williams, mother of one. “Some parents may just have questions regarding the different types of seats out there and how to latch them in properly.”

The proper way to install the car seats is “snug installation: less than 1 inch of movement from side to side or front to back. You can be sure by making an appointment with the fire department or any of the safety checkpoints around the Commonwealth of Virginia. Find the location closest to you at www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/safety-seat-checks/.

Fire stations can also dispose of your used car seats. Car seats experience recall often, to check the current list of safety seat recalls visit www.buckleupnc.org/wp-content/uploads/hsrc_carseat_recalls.pdf. 

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