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Child Safety Seat Information
Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%.
73% of car seats are not installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat, or let us do it for you. The Kittery Police Department has a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician on staff who would be happy to install your car seat for you, double check an installed car seat, or answer any questions you may have.
To schedule a car seat installation, or if you have any questions, please call Dani Lindman at 207-439-1638.
Maine State Law Title 29-A Sec. 2081
(2-A) When a child who is less than 2 years of age is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts, the operator shall ensure that the child is properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system or convertible child restraint system properly secured in the rear-facing position in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions, except if the child is in a convertible child restraint system and the child exceeds the manufacturer recommended weight limit for the rear-facing position the child may be properly secured in a forward-facing position in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
(2-B) When a child who is 2 years of age or older and who weighs less than 55 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts, the operator shall ensure that the child is properly secured in a child restraint system in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Passengers less than 18 years of age. Except as provided in subsections 2-A and 2-B, the following provisions apply to passengers less than 18 years of age riding in a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts.
A. The operator shall ensure that a child who weighs less than 80 pounds, who is less than 57 inches in height and who is less than 8 years of age is properly secured in a belt positioning seat in accordance with the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
B. The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 18 years of age and who is not required to be secured under paragraph A or subsection 2‑A or 2‑B is properly secured in a seat belt.
C. The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 12 years of age and who weighs less than 100 pounds is properly secured in the rear seat of a vehicle, if possible.
Additional Child Safety Seat Information
- A child must ride rear facing until the age of 24 months. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A)
- A child must ride in a rear facing, or forward facing 5-point harness car seat until they are 55 lbs. (Title 29-A sec. 2081.2-B)
- Rear facing car seats can NEVER be installed in front of an active air bag. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A)
- Car seat harnesses must be snug. You should not be able to pinch excess harness at the child's shoulders (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A, 2B)
- Harness clips should be at the child's armpit level. ( Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A, 2B)
- The harness should be coming out of the car seat's harness slot at or below the child's shoulders while riding rear facing (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-A)
- The harness should be coming out of the car seat's harness slot at or above the child's shoulders while riding facing forward (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.2-B)
- The car seat needs to be secured to the vehicle using a seat belt or the lower anchors, NOT both. (Title 29-A Sec.2081.2-A, 2-B)
- Children must ride in a forward facing harness seat or a booster seat until they are 8 years of age, 80 lbs, and 4'9" tall. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.3-A)
- Booster seats can only be used with a lap and shoulder belt. ( Title 29-A Sec. 2081.3-A )
- Children must ride in the back seat ( when available ) until they are 12-years old and 100 lbs. (Title 29-A Sec. 2081.3-C)