COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – New child passenger safety laws officially took effect across Michigan this month, aiming to combat vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for young children.
The updated regulations require strict adherence to manufacturer weight and height limits, mandating that infants remain in rear-facing seats until age two and transition to forward-facing seats until age five.
Children must then utilize a belt-positioning booster seat until they reach 4’ 9” or turn eight years old, while all passengers 13 and under are now required to ride in the rear seat whenever available.
To support these changes, the Michigan Office of Highway Planning (OHSP) is providing educational resources to help parents reduce their child’s risk of fatal injury by up to 50 percent. Detailed flyers outlining the new requirements are available in English, Arabic, and Spanish. Local organizations can obtain these materials free of charge through the Traffic Safety Materials Catalog or by contacting the OHSP directly to ensure families are informed and compliant with the new safety standards.
While all passengers 13 and under are now required to ride in the rear seat whenever available.
This also should have a height and weight. My granddaughter is 12 and is taller and weight more than me. I am only 5 foot tall! She is 5′ 3″.