Child Safety

Child Restraint Protection Devices
Vehicle safety systems were created to protect adults. This causes children passengers to particularly be at risk during vehicle crashes or mishaps. Effective July 1, 2007 there were three changes to the Virginia Child Passenger Law. This law applies to anyone who provides transportation for a child in any vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968.

• All children under age eight must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat.
• Rear-facing child safety seats must be secured in the back seat of a vehicle.
• Children can not ride unrestrained in the rear cargo area of a vehicle.

What Type of Safety Seat Should I Use? (VA Dept Health)
The safety seat used depends on the age, weight and height of the child. View PDF document detailing specific parameters.

In order for the safety seat to work properly, it must be installed correctly. Follow the manufacturer's directions closely. Regretfully, nine out of every ten safety seats in use in Virginia have been installed incorrectly.

Additional Resources

• Car Seat Resources and Tips (Virginia DMV)
• Child Passenger Safety information (from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA))
• One-Minute Car Safety Seat Check-up (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• 2007 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings (NHTSA)
• Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator (NHTSA)