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ATV Laws in Arkansas
Parenting comes with an extensive list of questions: How can I get my baby to sleep? Which pediatrician should we choose? Where should my child attend school? We don’t have all the answers, but we can help with at least one very important question: Which car safety seat is best for my child? And, in particular, what are Arkansas’ laws when it comes to buckling up my child? Read on for the car seat laws in Arkansas you need to know:
The state of Arkansas agrees that your child’s safety is important. While an accident may be unavoidable, following Arkansas’ car seat laws can minimize the severity of an accident. The Arkansas Code includes these laws to protect children and infants as they ride in vehicles. The Child Passenger Protection Act lists three requirements for minor passengers:
If you’re driving in the state of Arkansas, you’re required to follow each of these 3 laws. Of course, these Arkansas car seat laws are only a starting point. To further protect children, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides additional guidelines for minor passengers:
If safety is your top priority, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following safety seat guidelines to better protect your child at each stage of life.
We understand you may have additional questions, such as…
According to pediatric guidelines, children may begin to ride in the front seat at the age of 13 if their height and weight allow them to properly fit the car’s seat belts. Children who are younger than 13 years old should ride in the back seat.
According to Arkansas law, children must use a car safety seat until they’re at least 60 pounds or 6 years old, and a car seat should never be used in the front seat of a vehicle. Car seats are designed to only be used in the rear seats of your vehicle.
Should you buy a specific brand or model of car seat? In short, no. There are hundreds of different child safety seat models sold in the US alone. No single brand or style is better than the rest. Instead, ask yourself the following questions to find the best seat for your child…
If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, it’s the right seat for you. And to better ensure you’ve chosen the right car seat for your child…
If you’re a new parent or installing a new car seat, it’s best to have a professional check that your safety seat is properly installed. Fortunately, there are several places in Arkansas that will check your child’s car seat.
Yes, car seats have an expiration date. You should never use a child safety seat that’s more than 6 years old. Learn more about determining when to replace your child’s seat in our recent post: Arkansas Guidelines for Child Safety Seats.
You may need to replace your car seat more often than you think…
Yes, you should absolutely replace your car seat if you’ve been involved in an accident. Even if there’s no visible damage, you should still have your child’s safety seat replaced after a wreck. In fact, insurance is responsible for replacing your child’s car seat or booster seat at no cost to you!
If you’ve been involved in an accident and are unsure how to have insurance replace your car seat or you’re having difficulty with car insurance, feel free to call Taylor King Law at 870.246.0505 or toll-free at 1.800.305.0529. We’ll be happy to discuss your options and help you understand your rights.
Do teenagers have to wear seat belts? Do you have to wear a seat belt in the back seat? For additional answers, visit our blogs Teen Driving Safety Tips and Seat Belt Laws in Arkansas to learn more.