Introduction
As per the recent reports by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Children under the age of 13 are at the highest risk for injury or death in car crashes. Moreover, around one lakh people have been injured in car accidents. The number of car accidents is even more than that of any other motor vehicle. But when the main reason for death was found, it was reported that in nearly 33% of cases, the children were not properly buckled up to the seat. This is the main cause why many children have died in recent years. Nobody wants to keep their child at risk. Therefore, it becomes important to implement some laws to secure your child’s future.
The most important step to reduce the risk of severe injuries is choosing the right car seat. Some studies have even claimed that if the car seat is chosen properly, the child’s injury rate decreases from 71% to 82%. Moreover, one thing which can be implemented is booster seats and the risk of injuries by 41% in the age group of 4 to 8 years. Standard seat belts are not designed for children under a certain weight and height and should not be used as a restraint for children until they are big enough to fit in them properly. Apart from this, other rules and regulations are mentioned in the Child Passenger Safety Policy Statement. Let’s understand these laws carefully to secure your child’s future.
[Please read the full report here]
Age requirements for front seat car seat use in Michigan
Children under the age of 13 should be seated in the back seat. Children below four years must sit in only the rear seat. This is only for those vehicles which are having a rear seat. Supposedly if your car has only four seats and all of them are filled by children below the age of 4. So, in this case, the kid under the age of 4 can sit on the front side of 4. A child can also ride in the rear-facing seat only when the airbag present inside the car is turned down/off. As per the law, children under the age of 4 cannot sit in the front seat. But there are various other ways a child can safely sit in the front seat.
One important thing to be careful of is that the child sitting in the car seat must be buckled up properly. Apart from this, the booster seat can also be used. The child can only sit in the booster seat until they reach a certain weight and height, and the height should be between 4 feet and 9 inches. Turn off the airbag if you want your kid to sit on the front side. The law is very important to save the life of several thousands of children from car accidents. The law should be followed until the child reaches the appropriate height and age.
Height and weight restrictions for front seat car seat use in Michigan
The child can only sit in the car’s front seat once they reach a certain weight. Children above eight with a height of 4’9” and weighing more than 40 lbs can sit on the front seat.
Types of car seats allowed for use in the front seat in Michigan
The rear seat is only available for kids under four years of age. However, if all the seats are reserved or occupied, the only thing left is for the child to sit in the front seat.
Various types of care seats are available on the front side of the car. So below we have provided the list of car seats:
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Rear-Facing car seats
All babies and toddlers must ride in rear-facing car seats until they are two years old or until they reach the maximum weight or height limit for the car seat.
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Forward-facing seats
The seat is available only for those kids who are of two years or more than that. Apart from this, the kids who exceed the height and weight limit must sit only when they reach the limited height.
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Booster seats
This seat is only available for children who exceed the height and weight limit for the forward-faced seat. These seats are really important and vital as part of every car. Kids do not like wrapping around seat belts, especially when they are 4 to 8. So, in such cases, booster seats can be used.
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Seat belts
Children who have reached the age of adolescence and cannot sit on the booster seat are available to use seat belts. The seat belt is already provided within the car. Moreover, this is mandatory for people who are older than 16. They have the full right to sit in the front seat.
Exemptions to car seat use in the front seat in Michigan
There is various exception to Michigan car seat laws. Some of them are provided below:
· Moped, buses, and taxi
Some vehicles the federal and state government approves do not require seat belts. The list includes school buses and taxis. Apart from this, the other exceptions include the mopeds, motorcycles, and different 2-wheelers. Therefore, people who are subjected to driving a 4-wheeler car must follow the Michigan car seat law.
· The car made before 1965
Before 1965, truck and car manufacturers were prohibited from using seat belts. Therefore, vehicles that are running since 1965 are allowed to run without seat belts. However, the parents should remember that their child should not ride the vehicle without seat belts.
Penalties for violating Michigan car seat laws in the front seat
Suppose anyone tries to break the state laws section that the Michigan government sets, then they will be required to pay a fine of $65. Along with this administration, costs free of $10 and justice system fees of $4. Not only these but breaking any law the government sets needs to be corrected. Some of the laws can even result in long-term improvement. Therefore, getting a good knowledge of all the laws is required. The government also has the right to seize the license of drivers only if they try to break or avoid the Michigan car seat law.
Best practices for installing and using car seats in the front seat in Michigan
It has been reported that almost 70% of car seats in Michigan need to be properly installed. This is the main reason why so many accidents occur. Thus, avoiding mistakes and properly installing the car seat is important. There are a few points to keep in mind while installing the seat:
- Select the seat based on the age of your child.
- Properly keep the harness around the child.
Rear-facing: Below or at the level of the shoulder of a child.
Forward-facing: Below or at the level of the shoulder of the child.
- The harness must be flat. It should not be twisted. When additional fabric cannot be pressed at the hips and shoulders, it’s indeed snug enough.
- The chest clip should be at the level of the armpit.
- Properly look at the seat belt. If you find the seat belt loose, you need to apply some pressure on the seat belt or lower the anchor strap.
These are some steps that can be followed while installing the seat. Also, look for the best quality seat and seat belt.
How to choose the appropriate car seat for use in the front seat in Michigan
It is important to choose the right type of car seat. As per Michigan law, all children under eight years and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches can ride only booster seats. But if the car seat is the wrong size, it won’t protect your child. Therefore, it is important to choose the right seat type. Especially during growing age, the height and weight of the kids change drastically; therefore, choosing the right seat is essential.
Rear or front?
As per the laws by Michigan, the children must sit inside the car depending on their age. Children under the age of four should only ride and the rear seat. At the same time, the front seat is only available for children above four years old. People sitting at the car’s backside and above 16 can sit without seat belts. It has been proven that life of most people during car accidents are saved due to seat belts. Therefore, it is highly essential to wear seat belts.
Things for keeping children safe in the front seat of a car in Michigan
A car seat that is too small or not placed properly cannot safeguard a child. Below are some other top five car seat errors to avoid, along with tips on how to do so:
· Lose the harness straps
Around the child, the strap should fit snuggly. Ensure that the strap lies flat it should not be knotted or twisted.
· Improper installation of car seats
If the seats were properly installed in the car seat, it becomes easier to change their position.
· Moving the kids to big seats very soon
All parents should follow the law provided by Michigan, as they have mentioned, the weight and height limit for the seats.
· The chest clip should be low.
The chest clip should be at the level of the child’s armpit. This is to make sure that the strap is in the right position.
· Putting the kids in the front seat
Children below the age of 13 might get hurt during a car crash. This is because of the force of an airbag. The airbag usually opens at the time of a car crash.
The importance of following Michigan car seat laws in the front seat for child safety
The Main purpose of Michigan car law is to save your child from any car accident. If the car seats are improperly arranged, it can result in injuries to the children. If their child is injured even after following the rules, then parents can make a claim to get PIP benefits.
How to properly secure a car seat in the front seat of a vehicle in Michigan
The installation process of a car seat is really important to save guard your child against any accident. Therefore, check the size of the seat and harness properly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Michigan car seat laws for kids under 8 years old?
Children under 8 years old cannot sit in the car’s front seat. They have to sit back in rear-facing seats.
2. Michigan car seat laws for kids over 8 years old?
Children over 8 can easily sit on the front seat if the airbag is turned off. But they have to keep their seat belt.
3. Michigan car seat laws for kids under 4 feet 9 inches?
Children under 4 feet 9 inches have to sit back in rear-facing seats.
4. Michigan car seat laws for kids over 4 feet 9 inches?
Children over 4 feet 9 inches can sit in the front seat. But it is advised to keep the seat belt. This ensures that the children remain safe while sitting in front.
5. Michigan car seat laws for kids under 2 years old?
Toddlers and infants under the age of 2 years and weighing less than 30 pounds should sit in the rear-facing seat.
6. Michigan car seat laws for kids over 2 years old?
Children over 2 years old can only sit in the back of the car in a rear seat.
7. Michigan car seat laws for kids weighing less than 40 pounds?
Children with a weight of fewer than 40 pounds can sit in the booster seat or the rear-facing seat.
8. Michigan car seat laws for kids weighing more than 40 pounds?
Kids with a weight of more than 40 pounds can sit in the car’s front seat with the seat belt on.
9. Michigan car seat laws for kids under 4 years old?
Children under the age of 4 years can only sit in a rear seat. If all the seats are filled, they can move to the front side with seat belts on.
10. Michigan car seat laws for kids over 4 years old?
Children over the age of 4 years can only sit in the front seat.
11. Michigan car seat laws for kids under 5 years old?
The kids under 5 years can sit in the forward-facing seat.
12. Michigan car seat laws for kids over 5 years old?
Children with age more than 5 can sit anywhere in the car.
13. Michigan car seat laws for kids under 6 years old?
Children with age under 6 years can sit in the rear seat. However, if their age lies between 4 to 6, then they can sit anywhere.
14. Michigan car seat laws for kids over 6 years old?
Children with ages more than 6 can sit anywhere in the car.
About The Author
Hassan Zaka
I am an expert in accounting and have diverse experience in technical writing. I have written for various industries on finance, business, and technology. My writing style is clear and simple, and I use infographics and diagrams to make my writing engaging. I can benefit any organization needing technical writing services.
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