Updated Car Safety Seat Laws for Oregon
July 17, 2007 by Kenneth Carlson, MD
As of July 1st, 2007 the laws governing car safety seats in Oregon was updated. The new law is compatible with previous national recommendations from AAP and NHTSA. Motor vehicle collisions is the number one lethal accidental cause of death for children.
Infants (less than one year old)
Infant seats need to be rear facing until the child is 20 pounds AND one year old. This better protects children during high speed head on collisions.
Car Seats (older than one year old)
Infants between 20 pounds and 40 pounds need to continue to be in a car seat (not booster seat) forward facing. There is no longer an upper limit on age for car seats and is now based only on weight.
Booster Seats (over 40 pounds)
Now required up until age eight OR 4 feet 9 inches. This is a change from previous law of six years old. Once a child reaches 4 feet 9 inches (regardless of weight) they are tall enough to be safe in regular seat belts and booster seat is no longer needed.
Older kids in the front seat
While no law currently exists for Oregon regarding older kids, it is recommended that kids 12 and under ride in the back seat for improved safety. This is due to air bags and correct positioning of the adult sized seat belt.
More information
- Car seat information from AAP
- Car seat clinics to inspect your seat’s installation available at Salem Hospital.
- www.childsafetyseat.org
- Child safety seat information from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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