You by no means know when a automobile crash will occur.
This is the reason it’s all the time clever to make use of the right security restraint system to keep away from critical accidents or getting thrown out.
And it’s not simply that.
The State of Virginia implements legal guidelines concerning this.
That will help you, we’re going to element the Virginia automobile seat legal guidelines and the seat belt legislation.
We’ll discuss concerning the legislation particulars, the exceptions, the penalties, and way more.
So let’s dive proper into it!
Automobile Seat Legal guidelines in Virginia
In Virginia, automobile seats are required for youngsters beneath 8 years previous and using in a automobile manufactured after January 1, 1968.
The main points go additional than that.
You have to use the suitable automobile seat relying in your little one’s age, weight, and peak.
Let’s have a look at the specs:
- Rear-facing automobile seat – from start to 2 years previous or so long as the kid is throughout the peak and weight limits of the automobile seat.
- Entrance-facing automobile seat – from 2 to 4 years previous or so long as they’re throughout the peak and weight limits of the automobile seat.
- Booster seat – from 4 to eight years previous and doesn’t stand taller than 4’9. This could proceed for use so long as the kid can’t snugly match right into a seat belt.
- Seat belt – from 8 and above and stand taller than 4’9. The kid must also match all the standards listed beneath:
- The lap belt lies snugly throughout the higher thighs
- The shoulder belt lies snugly throughout the shoulder and chest
- Tall sufficient to sit down with out slouching
- Knees are naturally bent over the sting of the automobile seat
- In a position to sit all the best way again towards the seat
- Ft can keep flat on the ground
- The kid can sit this fashion for the remainder of the journey
In case your little one can’t do any of the standards above, then they might have to remain in a booster seat for longer. Nevertheless, needless to say they don’t exceed the peak and weight limits of it.
Automobile Seat Exceptions in Virginia
In case your little one is unable to be in a automobile seat attributable to medical causes, it’s important to purchase a signed written waiver from a licensed doctor.
The letter ought to point out the well being situation and the grounds for the waiver.
Furthermore, the individual accountable for the kid through the automobile journey ought to have the waiver always.
Automobile Seat Penalties in Virginia
The driving force is the principle individual accountable for ensuring that kids are correctly strapped in the correct automobile restraint.
So whether or not that’s the dad or mum or not, it doesn’t matter.
If there’s a violation of the automobile seat legislation, the driving force will likely be penalized $50 on the primary offense. A second or subsequent offense might attain as much as $500 in fines.
Furthermore, the Virginia automobile seat legal guidelines are major enforcement.
This implies you could get pulled over by a legislation enforcer in the event that they spot an unrestrained little one in your shifting automobile.
What to Know When Touring with Youngsters
Apart from automobile seats, there are extra issues to consider if you’re transporting kids. These are:
- If a toddler must be in a automobile seat or booster seat, the most secure place to place them is within the again seat. It is because the entrance seat can expertise extra affect throughout a crash. Additionally as a result of airbags could cause extra hurt than good to a toddler.
- By no means put your little one in your lap. Except for violating the automobile seat legislation, you’re placing them in grave hazard of hitting the dashboard or again of the seat when there’s a sudden cease or crash.
- All automobile doorways ought to be securely closed and locked. In case your automobile is supplied with a toddler security lock, flip it on.
- By no means let your kids journey within the baggage space of any automobile.
- It’s unlawful for youngsters beneath 16 years previous to journey within the mattress of a pickup truck, even when there’s a camper shell put in.
Virginia Seat Belt Legislation
Now, let’s transfer on to the adults’ security.
In Virginia, solely the driving force and front-seat passenger are required to put on seat belts.
Nevertheless, if the passenger within the again seat is beneath 18 years previous, the driving force should safe them in a seat belt, booster seat, or automobile seat.
Positive, the again seat passengers above 18 are not required to put on seat belts — however it’s nonetheless extremely beneficial to make use of them for cover.
And naturally, it’s a should that you just put on your seat belts appropriately.
The precise option to put on a seat belt is to have the lap belt in your thighs and the shoulder belt throughout your chest. Don’t put the shoulder belt over the headrest of your seat or beneath each your armpits.
Seat Belt Exceptions in Virginia
Identical to the automobile seats, you don’t must put on a seat belt in case your well being or situation prevents you from utilizing it.
Nevertheless, it’s important to have a waiver written by a licensed doctor that clearly states that sporting a seat belt shouldn’t be affordable due to your well being.
You have to have this waiver everytime you’re driving a automobile, using within the entrance seat, or are beneath 18 years previous.
Seat Belt Penalties in Virginia
If anybody breaks the Virginia seat belt legislation, the driving force has to pay a wonderful of $25 to $50.
Now, right here’s the place it will get a bit difficult.
In Virginia, the seat belt legislation is major enforcement for these 18 and beneath. And this is applicable to drivers and front-seat passengers, too.
So for those who’re beneath 18, you could be pulled over and fined.
However for these above 18 years previous, the seat belt legislation is secondary enforcement.
Which means it’s important to be pulled over for one more violation to obtain a penalty for breaking the seat belt legislation.
Airbags
Let’s make this clear: airbags shouldn’t substitute seat belts.
Bear in mind, airbags solely work finest for those who’re correctly restrained. Moreover, airbags solely present a cushion so that you just don’t hit the dashboard or the perimeters of the automobile when the pressure of affect is powerful.
They don’t hold you in your seat.
So to take full benefit of airbag safety, you could:
- Buckle up on a regular basis
- Transfer your seat at the very least 10 inches from the steering wheel
- In the event you can tilt your steering wheel downwards, the higher. This directs the airbag towards your chest.
One other factor.
Youngsters 12 and beneath ought to be seated within the again seat to keep away from airbags. Don’t fear – the automobile seat/booster seat will give them sufficient cushion.
Conclusion
It won’t seem to be it, however automobile seats and seat belts can save lives.
TRULY!
So it’s all the time finest to obey the Virginia automobile seat legal guidelines and seat belt legal guidelines for the protection of everybody.
It’s higher to be secure than sorry.
And that is one thing that lots of people wished that they had recognized and achieved.
Be a accountable driver!
Put on your seat belts!
Set up the right automobile seats!
