Car seats protect the lives of children every day. It is not always easy to get your child to sit in a car seat, especially for long rides. Yet, the state has laws in place to minimize injury risks as well as distractions for drivers. You should know the Montana car seat laws if you plan to drive a child in your car that is under the age of 6. A Butte car accident lawyer from Everett Cook Law can be of assistance.
What Are the Car Seat Laws in Montana?
All children under the age of 6 must be in a car seat in Montana. That applies to children under the age of 6 who weigh less than 60 pounds. They must be in a seated position in either a verified child safety seat or a booster seat. The specific seat used must be appropriate to the height and weight of the child, as documented by the manufacturer of that car seat. That means that if the car seat is oversized or undersized for the child, it may not meet the requirements of the law.
If your child is not tall enough to be in just the lap band in the car, which should not be used until the child reaches 4’9” tall or eight years old, the child may benefit from additional booster seats that may be recommended until they do.
Are There Exceptions to the Car Seat Laws in Montana?
There are some exemptions to this requirement. For example, there are some children who have a medical condition documented by a licensed healthcare provider that makes it impossible for the child to sit in a child’s car seat. This could be due to the child’s size or body structure. In these situations, the child still has to be in the car safely with some level of protection. However, they may not have to be in the typical car seat recommended for their height and weight.
If you believe your child qualifies for this type of restriction, you must speak to your health care provider and have documentation stating that available if you are questioned.
What Happens If You Violate the Car Seat Laws in Montana?
Any driver who is operating a vehicle with a child that is required to be in a car seat and is not can be held accountable. That means that even if you are a friend of a friend, if you’re driving a car where there is a child under 6 and under 60 pounds in the vehicle with you, that child must be in the proper car seat. Failure to do this can lead to fines of $100 or more.
Car Seats Are Critical
According to Montana’s Department of Transportation, car seats are often essential to the safety of a child. In the last 10 years, 43 children under the age of 10 have died in vehicle accidents in the state. Car seats, when properly selected and used according to the recommendations of the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, can save lives.