The City of Huntingburg, Indiana

Indiana’s Child Restraint Law:

All children under the age of 8 must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or a booster seat according to the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions. Any child 12 and under must sit in the back seat if there is one available. 

• Children MUST be restrained in a rear-facing child safety seat from birth until they outgrow the rear facing only seat (22lbs – 40 lbs).
• When an infant outgrows the rear facing only seat, the child will move to a rear facing convertible seat.
• The child will rear-face until the child reaches the upper rear facing weight or height limit for a convertible car seat.
• Many newer seats will restrain a child rear-facing up to 40-50 lbs. Parents are encouraged to keep their children rear-facing as long as possible in a rear facing only or convertible car seat.
• Children should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness when they outgrow the rear facing convertible seat. The child should remain in a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness until the upper forward-facing weight or height limit of the seat (usually between 40 to 65 pounds) is reached.
• Children at least 40 pounds may use a booster seat, but parents are encouraged to keep their children restrained in a forward-facing seat with a harness until at least 65 lbs.
• Use a Belt Positioning Booster Seat after the child outgrows a forward-facing harness seat (usually a minimum age of 4 years and 40 pounds).
• Belt Positioning Booster Seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt (use with a lap only belt is prohibited).
• Indiana law requires all children under the age of eight to use a child restraint system in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer’s instruction, which are based upon the child’s height and weight. The child restraint system normally used by children in this age group is the booster seat.
• All passengers must be properly restrained either by using a seat belt or a child restraint system.

Here are some additional safety tips for parents and others who transport children:

• Child safety seats must be properly secured to the vehicles seat belt or LATCH system and should not move side to side or front to back more than one-inch.
• Children should stay rear-facing as long as possible.
• The retainer (chest) clip that connects the two shoulder harness straps must be kept at the child’s armpit level.
• Harness straps must be kept snug.

Child Car Seat Safety

Car seats and boosters can provide critical protection for infants and children in the event of a car crash. In fact, car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71–82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.* That's why it's so important to select and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. This webpage provides an overview on the car seat selection, installation, and inspection process to help keep your child safe.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the United States.  Car seats and boosters can provide critical protection for infants and children in the event of a car crash.

• Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71–82% for children, compared with seat belt use alone.*
• Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4–8, compared with seat belt use alone.*
• Seat belt use reduces the risk for death and serious injury by about half for older children and adults.*

Car Seat Inspections in Dubois County

We all want our children to travel safely in cars. Installing a car seat for younger children and babies can be a challenge.  Child restraint systems are often installed or used incorrectly. An estimated 46% of car seats and booster seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness.*** We highly recommend that you have your car seat(s) inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician. Below is a list of local inspection stations (appointment only).