Arkansas requires car seats for children. Arkansas Code 27-34-104 specifies that children less than 6 years of age and weighing less than 60 pounds are required to use a car seat when riding in a car.
Rear-facing car seats
You’ll start your baby in a rear-facing car seat, and you should keep your child in a rear-facing seat as long as possible. Usually, that means until the age of two, but it depends on your child’s size as he or she grows.
There are different types of rear-facing car seats.
- Infant car seats are rear-facing only and usually allow the parent to remove the seat from the car and use it as an infant carrier. Your infant will likely outgrow the infant car seat at 8 or 9 months.
- Convertible car seats will transition from rear-facing to forward-facing and allow your child to stay in the rear-facing position longer.
- All-in-one car seats transition from rear-facing, to forward-facing (with a harness and tether) to a booster seat.
Pro Tip: Children of the same age vary greatly in size and length. Use your child’s weight and height to determine what car seat is the best option, not their age.
Front-facing car seats
When your child is too large for a rear-facing car seat, it’s time for a front-facing car seat.
Types of front-facing car seats:
- Convertible car seats will transition from rear-facing to forward-facing and allow your child to stay in the rear-facing position longer.
- All-in-one car seats transition from rear-facing, to forward-facing (with a harness and tether) to a booster seat.
Use this car seat as long as possible. When your child reaches the height or weight limit for the front-facing seat, it’s time for a booster seat.
Booster seats
In general, the choice of which kind of car seat to use depends on the size of your child.
With a booster seat, though, you may also need to think about your child’s disposition. Will she get out of the seat and scramble all over the car? If so, being restrained in a car seat will make her safer. Booster seats are easier to unbuckle and allow your child to move around a bit more. Before you get the booster seat, remind your child he or she will need to stay seated on their bottom, buckled, facing forward for the seat to protect them.
Types of booster seats:
- Booster seat with a high back – Booster seats with a high back provide the height for your child to fit the seat belt and provide head and neck support.
- Backless Booster seats – Backless booster seats help your child fit into the car’s seat belt properly.
- All-in-one car seats transition from rear-facing, to forward-facing (with a harness and tether) to a booster seat.
Although Arkansas law doesn’t require the use of booster seats, but they are strongly recommended by safety experts. Most kids who are under 4 feet 9 inches will need a booster seat so that the car’s seat belt will fit correctly.
When your child is tall enough, you can try the seat belt without the booster seat. The car’s lap belt should lie across the thighs and hips, not the stomach. The upper strap should be across the chest and shoulder. If the upper belt is at the face or neck, they still need a booster seat.
The rules
Be sure to put your child’s car seat in the back seat. The center of the seat is best, though this may not be possible, either because of the design of the car or because you have more than one car seat. The front passenger seat should be reserved for people age 13 and over.
For your child’s safety you should not put him or her into a car seat wearing a coat or snowsuit. The fabric can compress in a crash, leaving the car seat too loose.
Adults and older kids in your car should always be good role models by wearing seat belts.
For more information on car seat safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission.