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If a baby is ff in the car and under a year, is it illegal?

ShariJennShariJenn member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

meaning, if they got pulled over, would they get a ticket?

DH's aunt posted pictures of her driving her grandsons around, one is 7 months, forward facing, straps hang off both shoulders and his head is all the way conked over to the side.  Looks safe!

I want DH to say something, but he doesn't feel like it's his place since he's not close to them.  

I'll slip it in with his mom so she passes the nice message onto her smart sister. Ugh.

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Re: If a baby is ff in the car and under a year, is it illegal?

  • EchowyspEchowysp member
    Pretty sure it's illegal. 
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  • kittylovekittylove member
    Yes it is illegal, and not only can she get a ticket but CPS (child protective services or the legal equivilent in her state) is called for a violation as large as what you described.
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  • HuneyofJeremyHuneyofJeremy
    Illegal and they can get a ticket.
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  • kscarlett5683kscarlett5683

    The laws vary by state. Massachusetts actually doesn't have a 1 yr/20lb law, and many do not. (links are below). So if your aunt is in MA (I see you are from Boston), then no, she would not get a ticket.

    That being said, 1yr/20lb is a general standard and is considered safest for the baby.

    Link to general information:

    https://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

    MA site law: https://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-7aa.htm

     

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  • ohfourohfour member
    imagekscarlett5683:

    The laws vary by state. Massachusetts actually doesn't have a 1 yr/20lb law, and many do not. (links are below). So if your aunt is in MA (I see you are from Boston), then no, she would not get a ticket.

    That being said, 1yr/20lb is a general standard and is considered safest for the baby.

    Link to general information:

    https://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

    MA site law: https://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-7aa.htm

     

    This. In MA, there is no specification to what type of seat they should be in at what age. Just that they need to be in a child restraint until 7 yrs and 57 inches. Does the mother know about this? I would think she would be very upset to see her 7mo old FF, as it seems most mothers do at least a little research.

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  • macchiattomacchiatto member
    imagekscarlett5683:

    The laws vary by state. Massachusetts actually doesn't have a 1 yr/20lb law, and many do not. (links are below). So if your aunt is in MA (I see you are from Boston), then no, she would not get a ticket.

    That being said, 1yr/20lb is a general standard and is considered safest for the baby.

    Link to general information:

    https://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

    MA site law: https://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-7aa.htm

     

    Thanks for the link! Interesting! SC does have a 1/20 law but I'm surprised by how many states do not ... and yet we do, considering SC sucks in terms of auto safety in general! (No safety checks for vehicles, 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured, studies show Columbia has the worst drivers in the country, etc.) I'm glad we have that law and I wish every state did. ERFing seems to be very uncommon here though; our pedi actually sounded surprised when I said the boys were RFing at our 15m appt.

    fraternal twin boys born january 2009
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  • Shayna0182Shayna0182 member
    When I took J for his 1 year appointment, his pedi checked his weight, and since he was atleast 20 lbs, and over 1 year, we were given the greenlight to ff.  I would be furious if someone I knew was driving him around at 7 months ff.  it would probably be the very last time they would be allowed to drive with him.
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  • emiliemadisonemiliemadison member

    Many states do have a "12 months AND 20 lb" law for FF. The majority of the remaining states have what's called a "proper use" law, which means that children must be restrained according to car seat manufacture's standards. So, even if the law doesnt specifically state that a child must be RF until 12m&20lbs, there isnt a single car seat on the market that allows for a child under 12 months or 20 lbs to be FF.

    Short answer? It's illegal. Some people dont know. Even worse, some people do but really dont care. 

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  • hudsaunt1hudsaunt1 member

    The legality of it depends upon the state you live in.  Where I live it is not illegal & not CPS worthy.  You could file a CPS report but it would be Administratively assessed.

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