Booster Seat Regulations in Maryland

On June 30, 2008, a new child restraint law took effect in the state of Maryland. A revision of the law made booster seats mandatory for Maryland children of a specific age and size. In order to comprehend the utility of a booster seat and ensure optimal child passenger safety, you must also understand how to proceed before and after using a booster seat.

  1. The Law

    • Under Maryland law, you must secure children under 8 years of age in an "appropriate child restraint" device, unless the child is more than 4 feet 9 inches tall or weighs more than 65 lbs. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) notes that "appropriate child restraint" devices include federally approved car seats and booster seats. If you violate Maryland&'s child passenger safety law, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that you are subject to a $25 maximum fine for a first offense.

    Transitioning to a Booster Seat

    • Most children require a booster seat from about age 4 to between 10 and 12 years of age, according to DHMH. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises moving your child into a booster seat when they outgrow their forward-facing car seat with harness. Moving directly to sole use of an adult seat belt could be dangerous. Booster seats are designed to make adult seat belts fit young children properly by lifting them up higher in your vehicle&'s seat.

    From Booster Seat to Adult Seat Belt

    • While Maryland law allows you to stop using a booster seat when your child turns 8, DHMH urges you to wait until your child is tall enough to use an adult seat belt, usually when the child is 4 feet 9 inches tall. To double-check, DHMH urges you to use "the 5-step test." While in an adult seat belt without a booster seat, make sure your child can sit all the way back against your vehicle&'s seat. Make sure her knee&'s bend comfortably at the seat&'s edge. Ensure that the shoulder portion of the seat belt crosses the middle of the chest between the neck and arm. The lap belt should sit as low as possible, touching the thighs. Your child should be able to sit in this position for the duration of your trip. If not, DHMH stresses that you should stick with a booster seat until your child is ready for an adult seat belt.

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