Lansing, MI — Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death for young children in Michigan, prompting state officials to implement new laws designed to enhance child passenger safety. Starting tomorrow, stricter regulations will go into effect, aiming to protect children in the event of a crash.
In 2023, more than 13,000 car crashes involving children aged 8 and younger were reported in Michigan, underscoring the need for better child car seat practices. Experts say properly securing children in their car seats can be the difference between life and death.
Brian Jones, a specialist in child passenger safety, emphasizes the importance of understanding how to correctly install and use car seats. “One of the bigger issues we see is improper use of the car seat, such as not ensuring it’s properly clipped in. If the seatbelt isn’t positioned correctly, it could fail to properly restrain the child, leading to severe injury during a crash,” said Jones.
The new laws will require children to remain in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 2 years old or exceed the height or weight limits specified for their seat. Additionally, all children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if one is available. The regulations also include other restrictions to further enhance safety.
Although these new laws are stricter, Jones notes that they align with best practices that experts have long recommended. “The best practices have always suggested rear-facing seats until 2, and keeping children in the back seat. Now, these laws are making those recommendations mandatory,” he explained.
One of the key points of the new laws involves keeping children away from airbags, which can be especially dangerous to young passengers. Jones points out that airbags, while designed to protect adults, can cause more harm than good for small children. “The back seat offers significantly more protection because children are further from the airbags, which can be forceful and dangerous for younger passengers,” he said.
As for car seat installation, Jones stresses the importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions. “Each car seat has specific requirements, and it’s essential to read the manual. Never assume that you’re installing it correctly—always double-check,” he advised.
With these new laws, Michigan is taking a critical step toward improving child passenger safety, aligning state regulations with expert recommendations to reduce the number of preventable injuries and fatalities on the road.
