MPD Reminds Citizens of Four Phase Child Passenger Safety
The Morristown Police Department would like to remind citizens that as your child grows, how they sit in your vehicle should change.
Anyone transporting children should be familiar with the four phases of child passenger restraint systems. Phase one is infant. An infant (birth to age 1), and weighs 20 pounds or less shall be in a rear facing car seat, in the rear seat of the vehicle if available.
Forward facing toddler seats is phase two. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children stay rear-facing until age two; however, Tennessee Code Annotated 55-9-602 states “any person transporting any child, one through three (1-3) years of age weighing greater than twenty pounds (20 lbs.), in a motor vehicle upon a road, street or highway of this state is responsible for the protection of the child and properly using a child passenger restraint system in a forward facing position, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat if available or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions.”
Booster seats are the third phase, and based upon age and height. Ages four through eight and less than four foot, nine inches tall shall be secured in the rear seat, if possible, using a belt positioning booster seat system.
Finally, a child age nine through twelve and greater than four foot, nine inches tall can be secured in a vehicle in a seatbelt without a booster. The rear seat is recommended for all children under the age of 13.
Some accidents are unavoidable; however, by following these proper child safety passenger phases, you could help prevent your child from becoming injured or worse in a motor vehicle accident. For more information, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org, Safety Programs, Child Passenger Safety.