Car Seat Laws in Maryland

Maryland’s car seat laws are designed to protect children by ensuring they are properly secured in appropriate car seats or booster seats based on their age, weight, and height. Parents and caregivers should follow these guidelines and recommendations to maximize the safety of child passengers.

What are the car seat requirements in Maryland?

Maryland’s car seat requirements are based on the child’s age, weight, and height.

Here are some of the key points:

• Rear-Facing Car Seats: Infants and toddlers should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Typically, this is until at least age 2.
• Forward-Facing Car Seats: When a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, they should transition to a forward-facing car seat that includes a harness. This should be used until the child reaches the maximum weight or height the manufacturer recommends for the seat.
• Booster Seats: After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, children should sit in a booster seat. Maryland law requires children to use a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are 4 feet 9 inches or taller, or weigh more than 65 pounds.
• Seat Belts: Children who are 8 years old or have reached a height of 4 feet 9 inches can transition from a booster seat to using the vehicle’s seat belt. However, the seat belt must fit properly: the lap belt should be snug across the upper thighs—the stomach—and the shoulder belt should fit snugly across the shoulder and chest—not the neck or face.

• Back Seat: The safest place for children under 13 years old is in the back seat of the vehicle, although not all vehicles offer adequate protection for those riding in the back seat.
• Proper Installation: Ensure that car seats are properly installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many local health departments, fire stations, and police departments offer free car seat inspections to help with proper installation.
• Replace After Accidents: Car seats should be replaced after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. Even if there are no visible signs of damage, the car seat’s structural integrity may be compromised. The forces involved in a crash can weaken the materials and components of the car seat, reducing its effectiveness.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides guidelines for car seat replacement after minor crashes.

What are the penalties for violating Maryland’s car seat laws?

Failing to properly secure a child in a car seat or booster seat can result in various penalties, including monetary fines. The fines can vary, but ensuring compliance with car seat laws is essential for the safety of the child. Although car seat violations do not result in points added to the driver’s license, repeated or severe offenses could lead to more severe consequences. In some cases, the court may offer or require attendance at a car seat safety class instead of (or in addition to) paying a fine. These programs are intended to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of proper car seat installation and usage.

Why are children considered safer in car seats?

Children are safer in car seats because car seats are specifically designed to protect young passengers during vehicle collisions or sudden stops. Here are some of the critical reasons car seats are essential for child safety:

• Size and structure. Car seats are tailored to fit the smaller bodies of infants and children. Vehicle seat belts are designed for adults and do not provide adequate protection for children. Car seats keep children securely restrained, preventing them from being thrown around or ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
• Crash force distribution. Car seats are engineered to distribute crash forces across the child’s chest and hips to help minimize injury. Many car seats include energy-absorbing materials and design features that reduce the force of impact on a child’s body.
• Injury protection. Rear-facing car seats, in particular, provide critical support for a child’s head, neck, and spine, which are especially vulnerable in infants and toddlers. Many car seats offer additional side-impact protection to shield children from side collisions, which can be particularly dangerous.

• Safety standards. Car seats must meet stringent federal safety standards and are rigorously tested in crash simulations to ensure they provide adequate protection. Car seat designs evolve based on the latest safety research and technological advancements, enhancing their protective capabilities.

• Proper installation. When installed and used correctly, car seats significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash. Organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provide guidelines and inspections to help parents ensure proper installation.

Children in Maryland must use appropriate car and booster seats based on age, weight, and height until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly. Car seats are vital for child safety because they provide the appropriate size, restraint, and protection that standard vehicle seat belts cannot offer young children. They are designed to absorb and distribute crash forces, support vulnerable body parts, and comply with rigorous safety standards. Properly using and installing car seats can significantly reduce the risk of severe injury or death for children in the event of a collision.

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., our Maryland car accident attorneys have decades of experience helping people secure maximum compensation for injuries caused by negligence. If you or your child were injured in a car accident, call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation today.