Child Restraints:

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A properly used car seat or booster seat is required for children less than age 8 or less than 80 pounds. The law does not specify which type of car seat can be used at any age or weight, only that the seat is used properly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and meets all Federal Safety Standards in place when the seat was manufactured.

 

When a child reaches age 8 (regardless of weight) or 80 pounds (regardless of age), a properly fitted seat belt can be used in place of a car seat or booster seat.

 

Booster seats can only be used with lap and shoulder seat belts.  They can NEVER be used with a lap belt only.  A child who weighs at least 40 pounds can legally be restrained using only a properly fitted lap belt if there is no lap and shoulder belt available for use with a booster seat, however this is not considered to be the safest option.

 

Children who are less than age 5 and less than 40 pounds must be restrained in the back seat if the vehicle has a passenger side front airbag and has a rear seat.

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Penalties:

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• Driver is responsible for all children less than sixteen

• Penalty not to exceed $25

• Full court costs and fees ($238 as of May, 2013) apply to failure to secure a child in an appropriate CRS or seat belt violations

• Two (2) driver license points

• No insurance points

• No conviction if the child is less than 8 years old and proof is presented at trial that an appropriate CRD/Booster seat has been acquired for a vehicle in which the child is normally transported since the violation.

 

 

 

Source: buckleupnc.org