90 Percent of Burlington County Residents Have Trouble With Carseats: Report

Burlington County officials still expect to see a high number of child seats improperly installed, despite a new law that went into effect earlier this week, the Burlington County Times reports.

Based on their weekly car seat check program, officials estimate that 90 percent of parents who make use of the program get it wrong.

Burlington County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Program takes place in the parking lot outside the Burlington County Courthouse at 49 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly every Wednesday. There are two sessions: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Residents can also make an appointment by calling 609-265-5221.

There are also local Child Seat Safety Inspections. For that schedule, click here.

New legislation signed into law earlier this year might make things even more confusing for some adults.

As of Tuesday, this is how the law works, according to each age group:

Infant to age 2:

• Car seats must remain rear-faced in the vehicle if the child is under 30 lbs. and under the age of 2. The car seat also has to have a five-point harness.

• Once the child has exceeded the weight and age limited, the car seat can be faced forward.

Ages 2 to 4:

• Children under the age of 4 or under 40 lbs. must remain in either a rear-facing or a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness in the back seat of a vehicle.

• Once the child has exceeded the weight or age limited, they can switch over to a booster seat.

Ages 4 to 8:

• Children under the age of 8 or height requirement of 57 inches tall must remain in the back of the vehicle in a booster seat.

• Once the child has exceeded the weight and height limited they are eligible to use a regular seat belt.

When can my child sit in the front seat?

• A child can sit in the front seat of a vehicle if that vehicle does not have a back seat - such as a pick-up truck or a sports car. However, the car seat and booster seat regulations still apply (i.e. Car seats must remain rear-faced in the vehicle if the child is under 30 lbs. and under the age of 2).

• Also, the vehicle’s passenger-side airbag must be disabled if a rear-facing car seat is strapped into the front seat of the vehicle.

County officials don’t expect the new law to slow their checkpoints, as their workers are constantly keeping pace with the changing laws.

Read more at burlingtoncountytimes.com.