Ohio Car Seat Laws

If you are like most people, safety is high on your list of factors as you work toward the purchase of a new car. And not just your safety, but safety for the entire family and fellow drivers, as well. Car accidents are both costly and scary. The more you can minimize injury the better.

That’s why, as spring turns into summer and the heavy driving season gets underway, it’s a good idea to review some of the safety considerations as they pertain to children. Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of death for young children.

Ohio, like virtually all states, maintains car seat laws that aim to help protect your little ones from harm. The statistics prove that child seats are an effective tool for safety. The state of Ohio estimates that car seats reduce the risk of death to infants riding in passenger vehicles by 71% and toddlers under the age of four by 54%.

The team at Cochran Chevrolet has put together an update on the current status of Ohio car seat laws. Let’s look at what the law requires and whether there have been any changes in the last 18 months.

What Does Ohio’s Car Seat Law Require?

According to Ohio.gov, the Ohio legislature enacted a child seat law in 2009 and revised it slightly in 2014. Under the text of the law, children are required to ride in child booster seats with belts until they are eight years old or until they grow to become at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, or 57 inches.

The law also requires children under the age of 4 or those who weigh 40 pounds or less to use a rear-facing child seat that has been approved by the federal government for use in motor vehicles.

Regardless of size and weight, children between the ages of 8 and 15 must always ride with some form of passenger restraint device, which may be a child safety belt or car seat belt. Over the age of 15, a person falls under the state’s adult regulations for using seatbelts.

Violating child car seat laws can result in a traffic ticket with a minimum fine of $25 to a maximum of $75 per occurrence. As the state of Ohio puts it on the website, “A booster seat can be purchased for as little as $15. Don’t wait for a ticket!” 

When Can My Child Ride in the Front Seat?

Ohio law does not explicitly state an age when children can legally move to the front seat. It does say that anyone 12 years old or younger must sit in the back seat. Children under 12 can only ride in the front if a car does not have a back seat, such as many pickup trucks. Ohio’s law aligns to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Even with those guidelines, the Academy urges parents to delay the transition to the front seat for as long as possible to get the maximum amount of safety. Each transition raises the risks of injury or death.

Where Can I Get a Proper Child Car Seat?

Car seats are for sale in major retailers such as Target and Walmart, as well as stores geared toward children. You can also find them online through sites such as Amazon.com or others.

The state of Ohio makes it easy for everyone to obtain a car seat. The Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program provides car seats and booster seats to low-income residents in all 88 counties of Ohio. Income eligibility limits will apply. 

Along with the seats, the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program also provides education, such as direction on installing car seats properly. Participants are required to attend an educational class to obtain seats. The state’s program has distributed more than 17,000 safety and booster seats to families in Ohio over the past five years. Nearly 5,500 were distributed in 2019 alone.

How Do I Know Which Car Seat is Appropriate?

It is important to be sure that the car seat/booster seat you use for your child is in line with your child’s height and weight. It isn’t always obvious where and how to find that information. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created a useful online tool that allows you to search for and compare car seat choices.

The site asks you to enter your child’s age, height, and weight. You will be presented with the various types of car seats that are right for your child. NHTSA indicates that there are four different types of seats:

• Rear-facing car seat. You will select either an infant car seat, convertible seat, or all-in-one seat 
• Forward-facing car seat. Choices are a convertible seat, a combination seat, or an all-in-one seat.
• Booster seat. Choices are a booster seat with high back, backless booster seat, a combination seat or an all-in-one seat.
• Seat belt. Children should make sure the belt is snug across the shoulder area and make sure it lies across the thigh area.

You may end up using different types of car seats at different phases, depending on how quickly your child grows. Read more about NHTSA’s recommendations for choosing the right type of seat for your child. 

More Information

The Ohio Department of Health provides links to a series of helpful resources, both at a state and local level. This includes a brochure to the Boost Ohio’s Kids campaign and a printable pocket card summarizing all of Ohio’s various child safety seat regulations. For the complete list of resources, visit the Department of Health website and click on “resources and links.”

#1 Cochran Chevrolet Buick GMC is one of Youngstown’s leading car dealers and is committed to the health and well-being of our customers. We offer new models from each of our three brands, as well as used cars from all major manufacturers. We also provide certified service and support to keep your car on the road as long as possible. Our finance team can assist you with finding a loan or lease payment that fits into your budget. Call us or contact us online for an appointment, or visit your #1 Cochran dealership today. 

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