(COLDWATER) - Michigan's updated child passenger safety law is now in effect, bringing stricter car seat rules and a new requirement that all children younger than 13 ride in the rear seat whenever one is available.
Under the updated law:
- children must remain in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2
- move to a forward-facing seat with an internal harness until age 5
- then use a belt-positioning booster seat until they reach 4-foot-9 or turn 8
- all children under 13 must ride in the back seat if the vehicle has one available
State safety officials say the changes are designed to reduce crash injuries, which remain a leading cause of death for young children.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is also offering educational materials in English, Arabic and Spanish to help parents understand the new rules.