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Child Car Seats

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injuries to children. Improper use or not using a child restraint can cause death or serious injuries to a child who is involved in a vehicle crash. California law states that children MUST be properly restrained in an appropriate child passenger restraint system in the rear seat of a motor vehicle (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least six years of age or weigh at least 60 pounds.


The following are the ONLY exceptions to riding in the rear seat of a vehicle.

  • There is no rear seat.
  • The rear seats are side facing jump seats.
  • The rear seats are rear-facing seats.
  • The child safety seat cannot be installed properly in the rear seat.
  • All rear seats are already occupied by children under the age of 12 years.
  • Medical reasons necessitate that the child or ward not ride in the rear seat.
  • The court may require satisfactory proof of the child’s medical condition.

Additionally, the law states that a child under 1 year of age, or who weighs less than 20 pounds, or who is riding in a rear facing child safety seat may not ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle with an active passenger air bag.

Child Safety Seat Tips & Information

Babies ride rear-facing and reclined until 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
Toddlers ride forward-facing and upright with a harness system as long as possible (per the manufacturer suggested weight limit.)

Children who have outgrown their harness system weight limit use a lap & shoulder belt-positioning booster seat.

Seat belts don’t fit properly until children weigh about 80 pounds or are 4’9”.

When You Choose a Safety Seat or Booster Seat, select a seat that fits your child. One type does not fit all. Be sure the seat fits properly in your vehicle. Choose a seat that is easy to install correctly.

Infant Seat

Infant seats are installed rear-facing only and may be used with or without the detachable base.

Convertible Seat

Designed for children NEWBORN to 40 pounds (currently there are a few that have higher weight limits, check manufacturers instructions). Seat can be installed either rear-or forward-facing.

These are available with a 5-point Harness, a T-Shield or an Overhead Tray Shield. If this seat is used for a newborn, the 5-Point Harness is the best choice. When using this seat rear facing, the shoulder harness must be threaded at or slightly below shoulder level. When using the seat forward facing, the shoulder harness must be threaded at or slightly above shoulder level in a reinforced position. Generally, this is the top harness slots. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the instructions for your vehicle.

Booster Seat

Booster seats raise the child so the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt fit properly and the child’s knees bend naturally. Children should use booster seats if they weigh between 40-80 pounds.

There are 2 common types:

  • High-back Booster Seat-protects child’s head and neck. Use if vehicle’s seat back is lower than child’s ears.
  • Backless Booster Seat—use if the seat back is higher than child’s ears.

Never use a child safety seat if you don’t know its history or if it’s been involved in a crash. When a child restraint is involved in a crash it must be replaced.

WHEN INSTALLING ANY CHILD SAFETY SEAT

  • Always follow the child safety seat and vehicle instructions manuals.
  • Be sure the vehicle’s seat belt is routed correctly.
  • Do you need a locking clip for your safety seat? Refer to your safety seat andvehicle manuals.
  • Fasten the safety seat tightly with the vehicle seat belt or L.A.T.C.H. system.
  • Fit the child safety seat harness snugly against child.

MAKE EVERY RIDE A SAFE RIDE

The following statements are difficult, maybe impossible, to believe. You are probably asking yourself “How could parents not protect their child from these hazards?” But stop and think . . .How often have you seen children riding in cars without car seats and/or safety belts to protect them? The potential and preventable damage to children riding in cars is exactly as described in the cases below.

FACT – The force of a car crash or sudden stop at 30 mph has the same effect on a child as falling from a three-story building.

FACT – Injuries resulting from auto collisions are the leading cause of permanent brain damage and epilepsy in this country. Seventy percent of children’s injuries in vehicles involve the head or spine – often in sudden stops which damage only the child.

FACT – Although research sows that 71% of the deaths and 66% of the injuries children suffer in traffic collisions could be prevented by buckling them up, there are many children still riding at risk, due to inconsistent use of safety seats and belts.

HOW TO MAKE EVERY RIDE A SAFE RIDE

  • Expectant mothers wear safety belts with the lap portion of the belt low, across the hipbones, and the shoulder portion centered on the shoulder and chest.
  • Infants ride facing the rear of the car as long as possible, at least until one year of age and 20 pounds.
    Children ride in safety seats with a harness as long as possible, at least until3-4 until at least 8 years of age.
  • Most children need to ride in boosters from about age 3-4 until at least 8 years of age.
  • Children who can pass “The 5-Step Test” and adults wear safety belts with the lap portion of the belt low, across the hipbones, and the shoulder portion centered on the shoulder and chest.

Stay Safe

In the Stay Safe section of our website, you can find a number of tips and ideas to do just that. Stay safe! We believe at the Lincoln Police Department that education is a key factor in crime prevention. In this section you can find ways to keep yourself, your children, you homes, and your businesses safe.

You can also take a look at crime statistics, recent activity, and crimes that have taken place in your neighborhood. Just go to the Special Services tab on the left and you can take advantage of the tools we've provided on our site.