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Child Safety Information: Georgia Seat Belt Laws

Hopefully, every parent thinks about the safety of his or her child before cranking the car and steering into traffic, possibly even before purchasing a car.  What parents may not be aware of, however, are the laws regarding seat belts and child safety seats for children.   No matter how safe the rest of a vehicle is, if children are not properly buckled, their safety is at risk.  In the state of Georgia, child safety seat laws are categorized according to the age or relative size of children.  Infants are referred to as newborns to one-year-olds or babies up to 20 pounds, and they must be placed in rear-facing safety seats with seat belts.  The term "toddlers," in this case, refers to children weighing between 21 and 39 pounds.  Toddlers are required to sit in forward-facing seats and use the seat belts and buckles attached to those seats.  Kids who weigh between 40-80 pounds are classified as "young children," and they must sit in booster seats that face forward and wear the seat belt provided in the vehicle, which must fit tightly across the lap or upper thigh area at the bottom and snuggly across the shoulder and chest at the top.  All children are required to sit in the back seat of the car. 

Georgia seat belt laws are intended to keep children safe on roadways throughout the state.  If you have any questions regarding seat belt laws or have any questions for a Georgia auto accident lawyer, feel free to call us at Murphy & Associates.  We represent clients whose children were injured in car accidents and needed answers to their questions regarding seat belts and liability.  If you are in a similar situation, call 770-577-3020, and we will answer all of your questions for free.