The AAP has stated that rear facing is the safest and children should remain rear facing in their car seat until at least age 2 and one study shows rearfacing between 12-24 months is 532% safer than forward facing. Finally, New Jersey has passed a law making sure that more children will remain rearfacing until at least two years old. On March 16, 2015, both Houses in New Jersey passed bill A-3161 and on May 7, 2015, Governor Chris Christie, signed the bill into law that will go into effect come September 1, 2015.
The previous law stated that all children under 8 years old AND less than 80 pounds must be in a child seat and in a rear seat of the car if available. The new bill amends that law and makes the following specifications:
- 2 years and under – What the new law says – A child under the age of two years and weighing less than 30 pounds shall be secured in a rear facing child passenger restraint system, which is equipped with a five-point harness.
- What this means – If you have a child two years old or younger who weighs less than 30 lbs must remain rear facing in a 5 point harness. Once your child is either 2 years old (or older) or weighs 30lbs, they may be turned forward facing, though rear facing will still be the safest for them.
- 4 years and under – What the new law says –. A child under the age of four years and weighing less than 40 pounds shall be secured: (1) in a rear facing child passenger restraint system, which is equipped with a five-point harness, until the child outgrows the top height or top weight recommendations made by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system, at which point the child shall be secured in a rear seat, in a forward facing child passenger restraint system which is equipped with a five-point harness; or (2) in a forward facing child passenger restraint system which is equipped with a five-point harness
- What this means- From ages 3-4 and less than 40lbs should remain rear facing in a five point harness until they outgrow the maximum height/weight requirements of their specific seat. Once they outgrow the maximum requirements for rear facing then they can be turned forward facing, but must remain in a 5 point harness or they can be forward facing, but must stay in a five-point harness. Ultimately, safety should be the top concern and rear facing as long as possible.
- 8 years and under – What the new law says –. A child under the age of eight years and less than 57 inches in height shall be secured: (1) in a forward facing child passenger restraint system which is equipped with a five-point harness, until the child outgrows the top height or top weight recommendations made by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system, at which point the child shall be secured in a rear seat, in a booster seat; or (2) in a booster seat.
- What this means- From ages 5-8 years old AND under 57 inches a child should remain in a five point harness until they outgrow the maximum height/weight requirements of their specific seat. Once they outgrow the maximum requirements for a 5 point harness they can be turned secured in a booster seat.
- What new law says about vehicles with no rear seat – If there are no rear seats, the child shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat [, as described in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213] in a front seat of a motor vehicle except that no child shall be secured in a rear facing child passenger restraint system in a front seat of any motor vehicle which is equipped with a passenger-side airbag that is not disabled or turned off.
- What this means – If you drive a vehicle, such as a pick up truck, that does not have a rear seat you should follow the above new laws the same way, EXCEPT in the event that the passenger side airbag MUST be disabled or turned off. If you cannot disable or turn off, then the child cannot ride in the vehicle.
QUICK BREAKDOWN
- 2 years and younger AND under 30 lbs – Must be rear facing in a 5 point harness
- 4 years and younger AND under 40lbs – Must remain in a 5 point harness. Should remain rear facing until the maximum seat requirements of their car seat is met and can then turn forward facing.
- 8 years and younger AND under 57 inches should remain in a 5 point harness until the maximum seat requirements of their car seat is met and can then they can move to a booster.
More Resources
- You can view the full bill here.
- Here’s rearfacing car seat myths busted in case you don’t think it’s possible.
- Child over 8 years old? See if they are really ready for a seat belt or if they should remain boostered.
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It seems that the standards change so frequently that it can be hard to keep up. Rear facing seems like a no-brainer, but I wish there were universal manufacturer safety instructions so we didn’t have to rely on contradictory recommendations from various sources.
I definitely understand. I think if all seats had the same requirements it would definitely help parents understand the importance.
I Don’t See How It Can Be Rear Facing. as A Childs Feet Hangs Over The Seat When They Are No Longer An Infant Just Sayin Won’t The Seat Not Fit Properly
Hi Sandra! Please see the link in the post about rear facing seat myths. Children are actually much for comfortable rearfacing and there is still leg room as the seats still go on a recline. Most children will criss cross their legs. Hope that helps!