In New York, car seats are required for children younger than six years old and weighing less than 60 pounds. The penalties for not using a car seat or booster seat as required by law are a fine of $50-$100 for a first offense, and a fine of $100-$200 for each subsequent offense. Penalties are doubled if the violation occurs in a work zone. But how old do you have to be to sit in the front seat new york ? There is no statewide law in New York that prohibits children from riding in the front seat of a car, but some localities have enacted their own ordinances.
Penalties for Not Using a Car Seat
In addition to the above fines, drivers who are ticketed for not properly securing a child in a car seat or booster seat may also be required to take a defensive driving course. A second offense within 18 months of the first offense will result in a mandatory one-year revocation of the driver’s license. In the city of Syracuse, children under the age of 12 are not allowed to ride in the front seat unless children under the age of 12 occupy all other passenger seats.
In the city of Albany, children under the age of 8 must ride in the back seat. And in the city of Buffalo, children under the age of 4 must ride in a car seat or booster seat.
Exceptions to the Law
There are a few exceptions to the car seat law in New York. If a child is sick or has a disability that prevents them from being properly secured in a car seat, they may ride in the front seat if an approved harness system restrains them. Also, if all the rear seats are in a fold-down or jump position, a child may ride in the front seat
Enforcement of the Law
The car seat law is enforced by police officers who have been trained and certified in child passenger safety. If you are stopped for a traffic violation and a police officer sees that a child under the age of six is not properly secured in a car seat, you will be issued a ticket. The ticket will include the name of the court where you must appear and the fine amount. You will not be arrested or taken to jail for failing to use a car seat. Knowing and following the car seat laws in your state is one of the best ways to keep your children safe while riding in a vehicle. The above fines are just for not using a car seat, but the penalties for not using a seat belt are much more severe. In New York, it is against the law for anyone in a vehicle to ride without wearing a seat belt. The fines for not wearing a seat belt start at $50 and increase to $500 for subsequent offenses.
Drivers who are stopped for not wearing a seat belt may also be issued a ticket for not properly securing a child in a car seat or booster seat. And, like the car seat law, police officers who have been trained and certified in child passenger safety enforce the seat belt law.