Safety Seats

Virginia law requires that children under 6 years of age be restrained in a child safety seat that meets federal standards.

Virginia law requires all children age six through age 15 to be properly secured in an approved child safety seat, booster seat or safety belt no matter where the child is seated in the vehicle.

Under Virginia law the driver is responsible for ensuring that all children in the vehicle are properly restrained.

In Virginia, a police officer can stop a vehicle if children up to the age 16 riding in the vehicle are not properly restrained. In 1995 a federal law was passed that allows car manufacturers to install an on-off switch that temporarily disables a passenger-side air bag. To acquire information on having an on-off switch installed in an owned or leased vehicle, obtain NHTSA's informational brochure, Air Bags and On-Off Switches: Information for an Informed Decision and the accompanying form, Request for Air Bag On-Off Switch.

A standardized system for installing child safety seats in cars and light trucks, announced by President Clinton in February 1999, could prevent as many as 50 child fatalities and 3,000 injuries annually. New child safety seats will have three standard attachments: one on top and two at the base. All new vehicles will have standard anchors in the back seat designed to link to these safety seat attachments. These requirements will be phased in during the next three years.

Beginning September 1, 1999 most new cars, except convertibles, are required to be equipped with a corresponding attachment to secure the top tether strap. Beginning September 1, 2000, all new vehicles - to include light trucks, minivans, and SUV's, are required to be equipped with the top tether attachment mounting.

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