Ensuring the proper use of your child’s car seat is not just a safety concern, but also a legal one. Maryland car seat laws outline clear guidelines for proper use. Following these rules can reduce the risk of child injuries in a crash by as much as 82 percent.
Maryland Car Seat Law & Requirements
Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law requires all children under eight years old to ride in an appropriate child safety seat unless they’re 4’9″ or taller. Children under the age of two must ride in rear-facing safety seats, while children two and older may ride in forward-facing or booster seats.
Note: Maryland car seat laws apply to all passenger vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in Maryland or another state.
Rear-Facing Car Seat Rules
The rear-facing car seat law in MD requires all children to ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least the age of two. These safety seats provide crucial protection for the head, neck, and spine during collisions.
Although a child may use forward-facing seats after age two, it’s strongly recommended that they use a rear-facing seat until they reach the seat’s height and weight limit.
Forward-Facing and Booster Seat Guidelines
After outgrowing rear-facing seats, children can transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. They should continue using forward-facing safety seats until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight limits.
When a child has outgrown front-facing seats, they can move to a belt-positioning booster seat. Car booster seat laws in Maryland require children to use a booster seat until they turn eight or reach 4’9.” Boosters ensure the seatbelt fits properly across the shoulder and lap, reducing the risk of severe injury in an auto accident.
For optimal child passenger safety in Maryland, children should continue riding in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old. Younger children typically cannot safely withstand the impact of a deploying airbag, and they can suffer serious injuries if they are in the front seat when a crash occurs.
Best Practices & Safety Recommendations
While state law sets car seat requirements in Maryland, it’s strongly recommended that parents go beyond these requirements to keep their children as safe as possible. Here are some key tips:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a car seat.
- Keep children rear-facing until they’ve outgrown height or weight limits.
- Use a booster seat until the seat belt fits correctly over your child, whatever their age.
- Always use the back seat for children under 13.
- Always replace a car seat after any moderate or severe collision, even if it appears undamaged. Some manufacturers recommend replacement after minor crashes.
- Maryland offers low-cost car seat assistance through the state Department of Health’s KISS program. Call 800-370-SEAT.
Was Your Child Hurt in a Car Accident? Contact Our Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Children are the most vulnerable occupants in any passenger car. If your child suffered injuries in a crash due to another driver’s negligence, an experienced car accident attorney from Trollinger Law LLC can fight to hold the at-fault party accountable. Contact us today for your free consultation.
