Summary of past and present child passenger safety laws: seating position and restraint requirements
Country | City | Years | Age limit (years) | Allowed in front seat? | Restraint use required in rear seat? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes: By restrained all countries (except where indicated) mean: if child <3, child restraint; if child 3–12, booster or seat belt; if >12, seat belt. | |||||
*Except if there are no rear seats or all rear seats are occupied with other children. | |||||
†Except if number of passengers exceeds number of seats; riding in taxis; passengers with a handicap or medical exception. | |||||
‡Except if no rear seat is available, all rear seats are occupied by children or rear seats are unusable. | |||||
§Except if number of passenger exceeds the number of seats. | |||||
¶Type of restraint was not specified, but seat belts were sufficient for all ages. Seat belts or child restraints acceptable for children <6. | |||||
¶Except if the child rides in a vehicle manufactured before 1966 or the child is unable to use a child restraint. | |||||
**If the number of children in the vehicle is greater than the number of seat belts or restraining systems available, the unrestrained children must sit in the rear. | |||||
Germany | Frankfurt | 1975–88 | <12 | No* | No |
1988–93 | <12 | Yes. Restrained* | No | ||
1994– | <12 and <150 cm | Yes. Restrained | Yes† | ||
Belgium | Brussels | 1975–96 | <12 | No | No |
1996– | ≤12 | Yes. Restrained‡ | Yes§ | ||
France | Paris | 1975–91 | <10 | No | No |
1992– | ≤10 | Yes. Restrained‡ | Yes† | ||
USA | Boston, MA | <1997 | <12 | Yes†¶ | Yes†¶ |
April 1997– | No age limit | Yes¶. Restrained | Yes¶ | ||
New Orleans, LA | 1984–96 | ≤5 | Yes. Restrained | Yes** | |
>5 | Yes. Restrained | No | |||
1996– | <13 | Yes. Restrained | Yes** |