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Car seat laws in North Carolina keep children safe while riding in cars. The state mandates different seats and safety apparatus for children based on their size, height, and weight. Serving the same purpose for children that seat belts serve for adults, properly used and installed car seats have been shown to save lives and prevent severe injuries.
North Carolina car seat laws are in place for a reason. Whether you regularly or occasionally have child passengers in your vehicle, you should know state and local car seat laws and regulations.
Rutherfordton car accident lawyers can address your concerns about safely transporting children. They can also provide guidance if you or a loved one were in an accident involving a child.
North Carolina Car Seat Laws for Infants
State law places responsibility for child passenger restraint on the vehicle’s driver. Infants and children younger than five should ride in the back seat of a car equipped with front-seat airbags.
The UNC Highway Safety Research Center also follows American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines that children younger than two should ride rear-facing.
Choose a car seat that fits the child’s size and weight, and ensure it is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
North Carolina Car Seat Laws for Toddlers
Car seat laws for toddlers vary slightly from the requirements for infants. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20‑137.1 requires for toddlers and children up to five years of age:
- Rear seating (but not rear-facing) car seats for children younger than five and lighter than 40 pounds
- Rear seating unless the car or booster seat is specifically designated for use with airbags
- Use of appropriate lap and shoulder belt placement according to the vehicle and car or booster seat design
Every child restraint system is different. Thoroughly review the manual and other materials that come with your car seat to ensure proper installation in the appropriate seating position.
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North Carolina Car Seat Laws for Older Children
Children and minors up to 16 years old must be safely and correctly restrained in cars in North Carolina. Accordingly, the law mandates:
- If a lap-and-shoulder seat belt is unavailable due to vehicle type, children between 40 and 80 pounds can ride with a lap belt.
- A child under the age of eight must be secured in a booster seat or other child passenger restraint system.
- Adolescents and teens younger than 16 years old must wear a seatbelt.
Why Child Restraint Matters on North Carolina Streets and Highways
According to the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal, car accidents are the leading cause of death for young children statewide. Car seats help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities—but only if they are:
- Properly sized
- Correctly installed
- Consistently used
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cite the frequency of not using or improperly using car seats. As many as 36% of children who suffered fatal injuries in vehicle collisions were not properly restrained. Proper use could reduce child injuries and car accident mortality rates.
Fines and Penalties for Violating Child Passenger Safety Laws
North Carolina law requires car seats for children with limited exceptions. Failure to comply could result in one or more of the following penalties:
- Fines of up to $25
- Court costs and fees
- Two driver’s license points
You can avoid conviction if the unrestrained child is under 8 years old and you acquire and install an appropriately fitted car or booster seat. Moreover, victims cannot use the failure to properly restrain a child as evidence of negligence in any civil proceeding.
Explore Your Compensation Options if Your Child Suffered Injuries in a Car Wreck
Were you involved in an accident caused by a negligent driver in North Carolina? You could be entitled to financial compensation. A local car accident attorney could help you recover economic and noneconomic damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. If applicable, you could also obtain punitive damages.
Your lawyer could clarify timelines (the statute of limitations in North Carolina varies when a minor is involved in a wreck) and guide you through each step of the personal injury process. Finally, they will also help you prove the negligence that entitles you to financial recovery.
There Are Limited Exceptions to Car Seat Laws in North Carolina
Exceptions and exemptions exist that allow certain types of vehicles and specific circumstances to bypass state and local laws regarding car seats:
- Passenger cars and pickups manufactured before 1968 do not require seat belts.
- SUVs, vans, and large buses manufactured prior to 1972 are not required to have seat belts.
- Ambulances and other emergency vehicles are not required to have car seats.
A Rutherfordton car accident lawyer can clarify your options if you own a vintage or classic car or meet any other conditions that allow you to disregard the state’s car seat laws.
Consult a Lawyer to Learn More About Car Seat Laws in North Carolina
North Carolina takes the safety of child passengers seriously. It has enacted laws that require all drivers to restrain child passengers adequately to promote safety and awareness.
Find out how North Carolina car seat laws affect you and how you can stay updated on new developments and car seat recalls. Contact our consultation team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today.
