Safety Seats

CHILD RESTRAINTS (Car Safety Seats)
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for children in North Dakota. Tragically, most deaths and injuries can be prevented with the proper use of car safety seats and safety belts.

North Dakota’s child passenger safety law requires:
• Children under seven years of age must be properly secured in a child restraint or booster seat. A seat belt may be substituted for children who weigh at least 80 pounds and who are at least 57 inches tall.
• If a vehicle only has lap belts, the lap belt may be used for children over 40 pounds. These children cannot ride in a booster seat because booster seats require both a lap and shoulder belt for correct use.
• Children ages seven through seventeen must be property secured in a seat belt or child restraint.
• Child restraints and seat belts must be used correctly following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The penalty for violation is $25 and one point against the license of the driver.
Incorrectly-used car seats may not protect a child in a crash. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual exactly. Correct use of a child restraint includes (1) installing the car seat tightly in the vehicle with the safety belt or LATCH system and (2) snugly securing the child in the car safety seat.

Other child passenger safety tips:
• Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat—even if the vehicle does not have an airbag.
• Never place a rear-facing infant car seat in front of an airbag.
• Never allow children to ride in the cargo area of a pickup truck.
• Never buckle two children into one seat belt.

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