The consequences of not having a child properly secured in an approved child safety restraint system can result in serious injury or death. In 2005 1,451 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes and approximately 203,000 were injured. (NHTSA 2006b)

Child safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years (NHTSA 2006b).

Maine Law states:

The operator is responsible for the safety of passengers under the age of 18.

Children 40 pounds or less must be properly secured in a child safety seat in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Passengers between 40 and 80 pounds and less then 8 years must be properly secured in an approved child restraint system in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Passengers between the age of 8 and 18 years more than 4’ 9” (57”) must be properly secured in a seat belt.

Children under 12 years and less than 100 pounds should be secured in the rear seat of the vehicle if possible.

For more information visit the Safe Kids website. www.safekids.org