Child Car Seat Laws in San Antonio: What You Need to Know

Ensuring your child’s safety in a car is crucial, and complying with San Antonio’s car seat laws is essential. Motor vehicles do not come with built-in child safety seats, so adhering to state regulations is necessary for protecting your child during travel.

The data on car seats

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), almost 600 children under the age of 13 were killed in traffic-related accidents in the United States in 2022. Close to 200 of these children were not in any type of restraining system and many others were improperly or inadequately restrained at the time of the car accident. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA) stated that around 325 children from infant to four years of age were saved by using car seats in 2017. Therefore, it is estimated that car seats have the ability to “reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants (younger than 1 years old) and 54% for toddlers (1 to 4 years old) in passenger cars.”

What are the car seat laws in San Antonio and other parts of Texas?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT) outlines the car seat laws in the state of Texas, which includes:

• From birth to two years of age: All children from birth to two years old must be placed in a rear-facing car seat. Children should not be faced in a forward position unless they are at least two years old or until they are the required height or weight recommended by the car seat manufacturer.
• Two to four years of age: Once a child outgrows their rear-facing seat, they should transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. They should remain in this type of car seat until they have reached the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
• Four to eight years of age: When a child outgrows the forward-facing seat, they should use a booster seat with the vehicle’s seat belt until they are at least four feet nine inches tall and between eight and 12 years old. The seat belt should fit properly across the waist, chest, and shoulder.

If you are pulled over and your child is not properly restrained in a car or booster seat, you may receive a citation and be required to pay a fine of up to $250.

Can my child ride in the front seat?

The Texas Department of Public Safety does not mandate that children must ride in the back seat, but it is highly recommended. The back seat is generally safer, especially for children under 12 years old. If your vehicle has passenger airbags that cannot be deactivated, avoid placing a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Always refer to the car seat manufacturer’s guidelines, as some models may not be suitable for use in certain vehicle seats.

Do car seats expire?

Yes, car seats do expire. Look for the expiration date on the car seat’s label or in the manufacturer’s manual. Most car seats generally expire between six to 10 years from the date of manufacture. If you are unable to find the expiration date anywhere on the seat or manual, you should assume that it will expire in six years. if it is not brand new, it may expire a lot sooner.

How do I know if my child no longer needs a car or booster seat?

Your child will no longer need a car seat if they are at least four feet and nine inches, eight years of age, and the vehicle seat belt fits them properly. To determine whether they are big enough and that the vehicle seat belt properly fits, you should be able to answer “yes” to these questions:

• Is the child able to sit with their back against the seat with the seat belt still positioned correctly?
• Do the child’s knees bend against the edge of the seat?
• Does the seat belt properly cross the child’s chest and the center of their shoulder?
• Is the lap portion of the seat belt properly situated across the waist?

If you cannot answer “yes” to each of these questions, your child most likely should remain in a car or booster seat.

Places across San Antonio that offer free car seat checks

If you need help installing a car seat or simply want a professional to double-check your car seat to ensure that it is properly installed before using it, several places offer free car seat checks. Here are a few of the places in San Antonio that offer free car seat checks:

• The San Antonio District Office
• University Hospital
• Bexar County Emergency Service Department No. 2
• Latched Program

If your child becomes injured due to a defective car or booster seat, Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney can help. Our legal team will investigate your accident, inform you of your legal rights, help you collect evidence, and file a claim on your behalf. Even if you are careful and cautious and do everything right, you unfortunately cannot control the actions of other drivers. If your child has suffered serious injuries in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, Pat Maloney will stand up and fight for your right to the compensation you need and deserve to cover your child’s medical bills and other losses. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.