New Seatbelt Laws Go into Effect August 1st

A host of new rules on buckling up go into effect on Thursday.

Here are the new rules according to Louisiana State Bill 76:

• Children under the age of 2 years will be restrained in a rear facing child safety seat.
• A child who is at least 2 years old and has outgrown the rear facing seat will be restrained in a forward facing restraint system with a internal harness.
• A 4 year old child who has outgrown the forward facing, internal harness system shall be restrained in a belt positioning child booster seat.
• At nine years old children who have outgrown the booster seat may use the adult safety belt fastened correctly.
• Children younger than 13 must be in the rear seat of a vehicle when available and properly restrained.

Here are the laws until August 1st:

• Birth to at least 1 year OR Less than 20 pounds – Rear-facing infant or convertible seat rear-facing.
• 1 year old to 4 years old OR  20 to 40 pounds – Forward-facing in a convertible or combination seat (used with the internal harness).
• 4 years old to 6 years old AND 40 to 60 pounds – Belt-positioning booster seat (backless or high-backed).
• 6 years old AND more than 60 pounds – In the backseat using the vehicle lap-shoulder belt or belt-positioning booster seat.
• Under 12 years old – Ride in the back seat of the car, if rear seats are available.