When can a kid stop using a car seat in CA?

ketchupklf

Unfortunately it is legally 'ok' to put the child in an adult seat belt at the age of six *or* 60 pounds in California: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.html

However this in no way means that a child is *safe* in an adult seat belt at that age or weight. Adult seatbelts should only be used on a child they *fit*... no matter what the age or weight. To determine a correct fit you need to apply the "5 step test":

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you must answer 'no' to any of these questions... then the child is not *safe* in an adult belt no matter what the law says. The laws are typically far behind the 'best practices' in car seat safety. Children do not tend to pass the test until they are between 8 and 10 yrs of age and about 4' 9".

Experts don't recommend a child be put *in* a booster seat until a *minimum* of 4 yrs and 40 pounds. Six years *or* sixty pounds is far too soon to get out of a booster seat.... my children won't be getting *in* a seat without a harness until *both* 6 yrs and sixty pounds. 'Minimally' safe is just not good enough.

littleangelfire81

What the law says is ok is not necessarily safe. Example, in our state it is perfectly legal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. That doesn't make it safe.

Reread the wording: if it says 6 OR 60lbs, then its one or the other. If they hit 6, they're legal, or if they hit 60lbs they're legal without. If the wording says 6 AND 60lbs, then they have to be both. So a 60lbs 4 year old would need a seat, and a 40lbs 6 year old would need a seat.

Kids need to be in a 5 point harness until at least 4-5 years old and at least 40lbs. And then they need to use a booster seat until at least 4'9" tall AND 80lbs and they pass this 5 step test:
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

WHY KEEP THEM HARNESSED:
Compare the following crash tests for your self and see the major difference a harness makes.
Forward facing harness vs. booster: http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_seiten/kisitest_2002/videos/test2002/frontcrash/recarostart.mpg
A lateral test (the third view in) of a harnessed seat: http://www.oeamtc.at/videobox/index.php?domain=oeamtc&videobox=Kindersitze_bis_18_kg_oder_4_Jahre&movie_kind=swf
A deep winged high back booster like a Parkway: http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_seiten/kisitest_2002/videos/test2002/seitencrash/concordliftpro.mpg
A shallow winged high back booster like the Turbobooster: http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_seiten/kisitest_2002/videos/test2002/seitencrash/htsbesafe.mpg
And a no back booster: http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_seiten/kisitest/videos/tests_2001/seitencrash/Baby_Sunny_touring_P3_vorne.mpg

Friendly Stranger..

Here is the general law as it concerns car seats in all states including CA.

BOOSTER SEATS in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8, unless 4'9" tall.

SAFETY BELTS at age 8 and older or taller than 4'9". All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

Basically the child must be 8 and older to graduate to a seat belt.

UCANTCME

This site is very helpful........

http://www.infant-car-seats.com/states/car-seats-laws-California.html

golden rider

Call the local Highway Patrol office and ask them, but I think until they are over the weight minimum they must use the seats.

Eroz R

you can get more info from http://autos-style.synthasite.com/?q=car%20seat

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