In California, children under six ride in the rear of the vehicle.
In California, a child must ride in a safety seat in the rear of a vehicle until he either six years of age or weighs 60 lbs. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) notes that the risk of injury to a child is reduced by 33 percent when he rides in the back versus the front seat. Fines for violating California's child safety seat laws range from $100 to $250, but are waived under special circumstances.
Requirements
In California, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notes that a child must be secured in a child restraint system located in the rear of the vehicle until the child is either six years of age or weighs 60 lb. Under certain circumstances, the vehicle code allows a child to be secured in a restraint system in the front seat. Examples include vehicles with no rear seat or rear seats that face to the side or the rear of the vehicle, situations where a child restraint system cannot be properly installed in the back seat and cases where all rear seats are occupied by children under 12 years of age. In vehicles with an active passenger-side airbag, a child may not ride in the front seat if he is under 1 year of age, less than 20 lb. or if he is using a rear-facing restraint system.
Penalties
A first offense of Calfornia's child safety seat law results in a $100 fine. The vehicle code points out, though, that if a defendant proves to the satisfaction of the court that he is economically disadvantaged, the court can refer the defendant to a community education program that includes instruction on properly use child restraint systems. The defendant must provide proof to the court that the program was completed. Even if the fine is paid, the court can still direct the defendant to an education program.
A second offense carries a fine of $250, which may not be reduced or waived, unless, as described above, the defendant can prove to the court's satisfaction that she is economically disadvantaged. In this case, the court refers the defendant to an education program. Again, an education program may accompany the fine.
Special Circumstances
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) notes that if a pickup truck does not have an on/off switch for a passenger side airbag, a child under 1 year of age, less than 20 lb. or using a rear-facing restraint system may not ride in the front seat of the truck. In such cases, CHP states that you will simply need to use another vehicle to transport the child.
In the case of side-impact airbags located in the rear of the vehicle, the CHP claims it is safe to allow a child to ride in a restraint system in the rear of the vehicle. CHP notes that the airbags deploy only a few inches toward the passenger and will likely not cause injury.
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