Safety Laws
North Dakota Child Passenger Safety Law
Research indicates that, as children increase in age, parents are less likely to use appropriate child restraints. A 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Fact Sheet reported that while 99 percent of infants and 94 percent of toddlers were in child safety seats, the number of restrained children ages 4-7 dropped to 83 percent. Nineteen percent of restrained children ages 4-7 used appropriate booster seats, while the remaining children had graduated prematurely to safety belts. In a 2002 observational survey conducted by the North Dakota Department of Health 39.6% of children in Fargo were riding unrestrained in a vehicle.
Guidelines
Infant Seats
Babies should ride in rear-facing seats as long as possible according to the manufacturer's instructions. They must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 12 months old and weigh at least 20 pounds.
Toddler Seats
Children who weigh more than 20 pounds and are at least 1 year of age, and can no longer ride rear-facing, should ride in a forward-facing car seat with harness until they weigh 40 pounds.
Booster Seats
Children who weigh between 40 and 80-100 pounds and are less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall, should use a booster seat to position the lap and shoulder belt.
Seat Belts
Kids who weigh more than 80-100 pounds and are more than 5 feet tall should use seat belt. If seat belt doesn't fit, refer to five-step test below.
5-Step Test
- Is the child seated all the way back against the vehicle seat?
- Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the end of the seat?
- Is the lap belt low on the hip bones?
- Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
- Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child will need a booster seat to ride safely.
Children 12 and younger should ride in the back seat — even if your vehicle doesn't have airbags.
Still Confused?
If you have other questions about the safest way for your child to ride, please call Safe Kids Fargo/Moorhead at 701-234-SAFE (7233).
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