In Wisconsin, car seat laws are in place to protect children and ensure their safety while traveling on the road. Wisconsin car seat laws often change, and it’s essential to keep up with the updates to ensure you’re following them correctly. By the year 2023, there will be new regulations regarding when children can transition from a car seat to a booster seat, and it’s crucial to know how these laws may affect you.
Wisconsin Infant/Toddler Car Seat Law
This law requires all infants and toddlers under the age of one or weighing less than 20 pounds to be restrained in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Children between the ages of one and four or weighing between 20 and 40 pounds must also ride in a rear-facing car seat or a forward-facing seat with a harness in the back seat of the vehicle.
Wisconsin Rear-Facing Car Seat Law
This law requires children to remain in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least two years old or until they exceed the height and weight limits specified by the car seat manufacturer. This law applies to all children under the age of four.
Wisconsin Forward-Facing Car Seat Law
This law requires children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seat to ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness in the back seat of the vehicle until they are at least four years old or weigh at least 40 pounds.
Wisconsin Booster Seat Law
Wisconsin law requires that children must be in a booster seat until they are either 8 years old or 4’9″ tall, whichever comes first. Booster seats help ensure that the seat belt fits properly and provides optimal protection in the event of a crash. Children under the age of four must be in a child safety seat, while children between the ages of four and eight who weigh less than 80 pounds or who are less than 4’9″ tall must be in either a child safety seat or a booster seat.
Wisconsin Child Front Seat Law
This law prohibits children under the age of 13 from riding in the front seat of a vehicle, unless the child is secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.
Wisconsin Child Seat Belt Law
This law requires children under the age of 18 to wear a seat belt in the front and back seats of a vehicle. Children who are under the age of eight and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches must use a booster seat or other appropriate child restraint system.
Wisconsin Taxi Child Seat Law
This law requires that all children under the age of four must be securely fastened in a child safety seat while riding in a taxi. The law also applies to children between the ages of four and eight who weigh less than 80 pounds or who are less than 4’9″ tall. The driver of the taxi is responsible for ensuring that the child is properly secured in the seat.
Wisconsin Ridesharing Child Seat Law
This law requires that all children under the age of four must be secured in a child safety seat while riding in a vehicle used for transportation network services (such as Uber or Lyft). The law also applies to children between the ages of four and eight who weigh less than 80 pounds or who are less than 4’9″ tall. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that the child is properly secured in the seat.
Wisconsin Child Seat Replacement Law
This law states that child safety seats that have been involved in a crash should be replaced, even if there is no visible damage. This is because the safety of the seat may have been compromised, and it may not protect the child in a future crash. The law also requires that child safety seats be replaced if they have been recalled by the manufacturer.
Leaving Child in The Car in Wisconsin
It is illegal to leave a child under the age of six unattended in a motor vehicle for any period of time if the conditions present a risk to the health or safety of the child. This includes leaving a child in a car when the temperature is extreme, when the car is running and unattended, or when the child could accidentally set the car in motion.
FAQs
Why is the front seat unsafe for children?
The front seat is unsafe for children because of the airbags. Airbags are designed to protect adults and inflate at a high speed, which can cause severe injury or even death to a child in case of an accident.
How long should a child ride in a rear-facing car seat in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, a child should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.
Can you put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat in Wisconsin, but only if the airbag is turned off or the car model does not have a front airbag.
When can a baby face forward in a car seat in Wisconsin?
According to Wisconsin’s law, a baby can face forward in a car seat when they are at least one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.
How old for a booster seat in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, children should use a booster seat until they reach the age of eight or a height of 4 feet 9 inches.
When to use a backless booster seat in Wisconsin?
A backless booster seat should be used in Wisconsin when a child exceeds the weight or height limit of a high-back booster seat. Backless booster seats are designed for older children who have outgrown the traditional car seat but still need a boost to ensure that the seatbelt fits them properly.
When can a child sit in the front seat in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law does not specify an age when a child can sit in the front seat of a car. However, it is recommended that children under the age of 13 should sit in the back seat whenever possible.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Wisconsin？
Yes, it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child under the age of 18 in Wisconsin. This law is designed to protect children from the dangers of secondhand smoke, which can cause health problems such as asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Conclusion
Overall, it is essential to make sure you are following Wisconsin car seat laws to keep children safe while on the road. These laws will continue to change and evolve, so it’s crucial to stay informed and up-to-date with any new developments. Remember to always put your child’s safety first and to follow the guidelines outlined by the state to ensure your child is traveling safely.