Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 Section 7AA states that a passenger in a vehicle who is below the age of 8 must be fastened and secured by child passenger restraint unless the passenger is taller than 57 inches.
According to the law, the child passenger restraint should be properly fastened and secured as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If you need to book a taxi or car service in Massachusetts with Child seats do it on BostonAirportShuttle.com.
If the passenger travelling in a vehicle is under the age of 13 and more than 57 inches in height, then the aforementioned safety law does not apply to them. In that case, the passenger must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.
If an operator of a motor vehicle is found violating this law, they shall be subject to a fine of $25. However, taxi drivers who lack a child passenger restraint device in their vehicle shall not be subject to this penalty. The taxi driver is exempt of the $25 fine, but the adult accompanying the child may have to pay the fine.
If a child outgrows their booster seats, they can use the adult seat belt in the backseat if it fits appropriately. To know if the seatbelt is fitting correctly, see if the child can:
- Sit with their back and hip against the car seat back without having to slouch
- Bend their knees easily over the front edge of the seat and plant their feet on the car floor
- Safely wear the seatbelt without it being too loose.
- Remain in the position for the entire ride.
For children under the age of 14, the backseat is the safest place to be in a vehicle. Only after a kid turns 13 can he/she be allowed to ride in the front seat with a fastened seat belt.
To determine what kind of car seats are most suitable for your child, see if your child fits in the seat and the seat fits in your vehicle. The proper seat will facilitate the height, weight, and growth abilities of your child.
Car seats play an essential role in saving lives when they are correctly installed. According to Boston EMS, 9 out of 10 seats in Boston are not installed properly. Therefore, one must read the manufacturer’s instructions and user manual before installing a seat.
For children under the age of 3 years and at least 20lbs in weight should be placed in a rear-facing seat. Similarly, children between the age of 4 to 7 weighing 20 to 40lbs should be placed in forward-facing seats.
Booster seats are for children between the age of 8 to 12, while the children above the age of 13 can opt for seat belts, as long as it is fastened properly.
