We get asked about car seats a lot, so we created this helpful table of North Carolina car seat laws.
| Age | Birth to 1 year old | 1 to 2 years | 2 to 8 years | 8 years old and up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | up to 20 lbs | 20-40 lbs | 40 to 80 lbs | at least 80 lbs and 4'9" tall |
| Car Seat Position | Rear Facing Only | Rear Facing Only | Booster Seat | Lap/Shoulder Safety Belt |
*Children 12 and under must ride in the back seat.
*Children should remain in a rear facing seat as long as possible.
The American Academy of Pediatrics announced that parents should keep their children in rear-facing car seats until age two (not one as previously recommended). The newest research has shown that kids in rear-facing seats are more than five times safer than those riding in forward-facing seats. Statistics from recent studies have shown that children under the age of 2 who ride in rear-facing seats are 75% less likely to die or suffer major injury during a collision.
* You can have your car seat inspected to ensure proper installation at your local Fire Department free of charge.