What Are the Booster Seat Requirements Arizona?

Proper restraint use is the key to child car accident prevention. At The Law Offices of John Phebus, Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer, we know that failing to meet booster seat requirements in Arizona can lead to serious injuries. 

In Arizona, kids must ride in a car seat or booster until they reach 8 years of age or a height of 4 feet 9 inches, whichever happens first. These seats help position a child so the lap belt stays low on the hips and the shoulder belt rests across the chest instead of the neck. Parents and caregivers should understand not only the law but also how these requirements relate directly to reducing harm during a crash.

Important Facts About Booster Seat Requirements

Child safety seats and seat belts are essential for keeping young passengers safe, and state law sets clear rules for when they must be used.

Age and Height

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, children younger than 8 years old and below 4 feet 9 inches tall must ride in a car seat or booster. These measurements align with accepted safety recommendations on when children can begin safely using an adult seat belt.

Proper Fit

Booster seats are the right step for kids who’ve grown too big for forward-facing seats but still can’t get a safe seat belt fit designed for adults. This stage ensures the shoulder belt hits mid-shoulder and the lap belt stays over strong pelvic bones.

Booster Seat Types

A high-back booster is best for vehicles without headrests, while a backless model works in cars that already provide good head support. The choice should also consider your child’s posture, comfort, and how well the belt guides keep the straps in the proper position.

Safety First

Always make sure the booster is secured and the seat belt is positioned exactly as the manufacturer describes, with the shoulder strap on the chest and the lap strap on the upper thighs. Even small adjustments can mean the difference between minor bruises and major injury in a crash.

Exceptions

There are a few exemptions, such as riding in a school bus or transporting a child for urgent medical care. In such cases, law enforcement may still assess whether reasonable safety precautions were taken.

Restraint System Requirements for Children

Under Arizona law, anyone under 8 years old or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches must be in a child passenger restraint system.  Those younger than 2 years should use a rear-facing seat in the back, if available. From ages 5 to 7, a booster is required unless the child has reached the height limit. Children meeting the under-8 or under-4’9” criteria must ride in the back unless all rear spots are taken by other children who also require a restraint system.

Legal Characteristics of Booster Seats

• Infants under 2 years stay in a rear-facing seat in the back.
• Ages 2 to 4 can use a rear- or forward-facing seat in the back. 
• Ages 5 to 7 need a booster unless they reach 4 feet 9 inches. 
• Anyone under eight or shorter than 4’9” must have a restraint in the back unless passengers with similar requirements fill the rear seats. 
• All under-16 riders must have a seat belt or restraint in any seat. 
• Those eight and older who meet the height requirement can use the car’s seat belt, and front-seat riding is legal at that point, but it’s better delayed until age 13.

Learning about booster seat requirements in Arizona can help families avoid penalties and keep children safer on the road.

Important Considerations:

• Install the booster or car seat exactly as the maker and federal safety rules direct. 
• Follow the model’s specific height and weight limits. 
• Consider having a certified child passenger safety technician inspect your installation for the best results.

Restraint System Requirements for Children

Booster seats are not just a wise choice for child safety – they are a legal requirement under Arizona Revised Statute 28-907. This law says that no person can operate a motor vehicle when transporting a child four years old or younger without first properly securing the child in a child restraint system. In addition, all passengers who are at least 5 but under 8 years old and who are not taller than 4’9” must use child restraint systems in all vehicles designed for carrying 10 or fewer passengers.

Rear-facing car seats. Infants and toddlers should start in rear-facing car seats designed for this age group. Car seats are safest in the back seat of the vehicle.

Forward-facing car seats. Toddlers who reach the maximum height or weight limit of the rear-facing seat (usually around two years old) should graduate to a forward-facing seat.

Booster seat. Children should remain in car seats until reaching the manufacturer’s limit – usually, once they have reached 4’9” and 8 to 12 years old.

Seat belt. After graduating from a booster seat, all children should wear safety belts while in the car. Children under 13 should ride in the back seat.

If you are not sure what type of restraint system is right for your child, read reviews and ask child safety experts. For assistance properly installing a car seat or booster seat in your vehicle, visit a free fitting station in your community. Fitting stations have trained professionals available to help parents with child restraint systems at specific dates and times.

What Is Legally Recognized as a Child Restraint System?

ARS 28-907(c) states that child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles in Arizona must obey 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 571.213 in terms of design, installation and performance. This standard states that each child restraint system must pass certain federal safety tests and inspections. When shopping for a safety-approved booster seat, look for one designed for children who are your child’s height and weight. You can choose from a booster seat with or without a back. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your purchase. Do not use a booster seat until your child is tall enough to sit with the shoulder belt snugly across the center of the chest and the lap belt across the top of the thighs.

Exceptions to the Law and Fines

Arizona’s child restraint system law only has a few exceptions. The law will not apply to someone with a motor vehicle that was originally manufactured without seat belts, someone operating a recreational or commercial motor vehicle, a person transporting a child for an emergency, or an authorized emergency vehicle operator transporting a child for medical care. Someone transporting multiple children under eight years old in a car that does not have enough space for the required number of safety seats may also not use car seats, as long as that person puts as many children as possible in child restraint systems.

Breaking Arizona’s booster seat or child restraint law could lead to a fine of up to $50 per violation. The offender has a chance to avoid the $50 fine, however, if he or she subsequently shows the installation of an approved child restraint system in the motor vehicle. If a child suffers an injury in a car accident while not using a child restraint system, the parent or guardian may also face additional charges, such as child endangerment. Contact a Glendale car accident lawyer to discuss your case, a legal professional can help answer your questions related to the accident.

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