Child Safety and Car Seat Laws in Seattle

Most parents would agree that their children’s safety is one of their top priorities. When you get into a vehicle with a child, ensuring your child is safely buckled up is crucial before getting on the road. Washington has specific rules in place that apply to Seattle drivers when it comes to child safety and car seat requirements. Before you get on the road with your child, dive into all the details below to learn more about the car seat laws in Seattle.

Washington Car Seat Laws

The state of Washington has specific rules that must be followed when carrying your child in a vehicle. Washington’s car seat laws vary, depending on the child’s age, height, and weight. 

The current rules in Washington are:

Children Under 2

A child under two must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system until they reach the height or weight limits of the restraint system’s manufacturer. Children over two may continue to use a rear-facing restraint system as long as they fall within the height and weight limits of the restraint system. The child should be in the back seat of the vehicle whenever it is practical to do so.

Children Between 2 and 4

Rear-facing restraint systems are still preferred as long as the child remains below the system’s height and weight limits. However, a child over two may be secured in a forward-facing restraint system with a harness. Again, the child should be located in the back seat of the vehicle whenever it is practical to do so.

Children Over Age 4 & Less than 4’9” Tall

Children over four may be secured in a proper booster seat until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belts fit properly. Typically, this occurs between the ages of 8 and 12. Once again, the child should be located in the vehicle’s back seat whenever practical.

All car seats, booster seats, and child restraint systems must comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation requirements. Similarly, the height and weight guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics should be followed when determining limits for child restraint systems.

Potential Penalties for Breaking the Car Seat Laws

You may be wondering what happens if you do not follow the car seat laws properly. The fact is that you could receive a traffic infraction. This could lead to fines, fees, and even points on your license. However, failure to use the proper child restraint system is not considered negligence in Washington.

You should also know that you, as the parent, are responsible for ensuring that your child under age 16 is wearing their seat belt or in the proper child restraint system. However, children over 16 are responsible for buckling up on their own. This means that your 17-year-old child who refuses to put on their seat belt when they ride with you could be given a citation for not following the seat belt law.

What Is the Purpose of Washington’s Car Seat Laws?

The car seat laws in Washington are in place to help protect children in the event of a car accident. Unfortunately, car crashes cause roughly 25% of all unintentional injury deaths in children. Recent data shows that 34% of children 12 and under who died in car accidents were not properly restrained.

Thankfully, this same data shows that more and more children are being properly restrained in car seats. With continued awareness, Washington’s laws can continue to increase child safety and help minimize the number of children who are seriously injured or killed in car crashes.

Contact the Seattle Car Accident Lawyers at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

If your child has been injured in Seattle, WA, and needs legal assistance, contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Contact our legal team and schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer today. We proudly serve King County in Washington and its surrounding areas. Visit our law office at:

Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
2101 4th Ave 1030 Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 727 4000
Hours: Open 24/7