Wisconsin Car Seat Laws: Everything You Need To Know
Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash
Wisconsin is very strict when it comes to children’s safety on the highway, creating a set of laws meant to keep children safe. This comes from Wisconsin’s high number of accidents, making it the leading cause of death in those aged 1 to 45. With the release of those statistics, they’ve been hard at work enforcing traffic safety laws, Wisconsin car seat laws in particular.
As a parent, you should not only understand the laws but also manufacturer recommendations based on your child’s weight and height. Instead of having to put it all together yourself, we’ve put it all together for you, helping you strap your kiddos in safe no matter where you go.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws: The Basics
If there is one thing that Wisconsin car seat laws are clear about, it’s that all children need to be secured in a proper safety restraint system. There are different laws for different ages however, parents should use manufacturer’s recommendations instead for the most accurate seating arrangement.
Parents who fail to keep their children in a child restraint system may be subject to a fine of $175. Multiple offenses could result in higher fines or even jail time for parents if they are proven to be continuously negligent.
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Seating Arrangements for Children
Before strapping children in, parents should understand major seating arrangements as outlined per laws. Each comes with its own rules and regulations, something that all parents should consider before taking off with their children in the car. Below we’ll explain each seating arrangement and explain key things to look for to strap your kids in safely.
Rear-Facing Seats
According to Wisconsin car seat laws, any child under the age of two should be in a rear-facing seat. Though the law states two years old, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises keeping children in rear-facing seats as long as they will fit. Not only should parents consider recommendations from the AAP but also keep the manufacturer’s recommendations in mind as well. These will outline height and weight requirements, both of which parents should consider when choosing a seating arrangement.
Front-Facing Seats
Front-facing seats are said to be the next step parents should take when kids are either four years of age or weigh 40 pounds. There are different ways parents can strap children in, but a 5-point harness is recommended. Parents should make sure straps go around and under the arm and fall on the lap and not on the abdomen. It’s advised to keep the 5-point harness system until children grow out of it
Booster Seats
Booster seats are the final seating arrangement before children make it into regular seats. While some children may be able to move to booster seats at the age of four, no child should move unless they are at least 4’9.” With most booster seats, children are strapped in using regular seatbelts, something that parents should check for before they move their kiddos from the back to the front.
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The seat belt should strap across the chest and not be anywhere near the neck or throat. Also, the lap portion of the belt should hug around the waist and not squeeze the abdomen or come up too high on the chest. If either of these happens while buckling children in, parents should consider keeping their child in a car seat just a little longer.
Children in the Front Seat
The front seat seems like a fun idea to kids. Once they hit a certain age, they may beg you to sit in front but you should keep them in the back as long as possible. By law, there are no restrictions as to what age after eight years of age children can sit in the front. However, it’s recommended that children be at least 13 before moving to the front.
Parents are urged to follow these recommendations, as some airbags and safety systems may be too powerful for younger children. It will depend a lot on the child’s age and weight, two things that parents should keep in mind.
Children in Alternate Transportation
There are no laws at the time that restrict children’s seating in certain forms of transportation. For instance, parents that need to use the bus will not have to keep their kids strapped in, needing to keep them either in a carrier or in their hands or strapped to them.
This also holds true for taxis, with no current laws dictating what parents should do. Though it’s not stated, parents should consider using a carrier and strapping their children in when they hop into cars to be sure they are safe while on the road.
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Extra Resources
Parents, especially new ones, are not experts. That’s why the Wisconsin Department of Transportation offers several resources including training, reading materials, and videos to help parents set up their child’s car seat correctly.
Apart from learning how to set things up and getting answers to specific question, parents can also make sure their child’s seats are safe by visiting a number of locations. Depending on your location, you may have more or fewer options, some of which include:
- NHTSA car seat inspection centers
- Children’s hospitals
- Fire stations
- Police stations
- Car dealerships
Keep Your Kids Strapped in Correctly
The state of Wisconsin is one of many states that are cracking down on car seat laws. To avoid fines and keep children protected while on the road, parents should understand what the laws state and how they can abide by them.
In addition, it’s always good to know your car seats and boosters are set up right, making sure straps and seatbelts are falling at the right place. It can be a lot to keep up with but, there are plenty of useful resources that parents can find, using them to seat their children safer and more comfortable while taking a road trip or driving to the grocery store.
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