Head Start Child and Family Services, Inc.

"Building Communities and Strengtening Families"

 

Dear Head Start and Early Head Start Parents,

Arkansas child passenger safety laws require that children under age 6 and under 60 pounds be properly secured in a federally approved car seat or booster seat. If a child is at least age 6 and at least 60 pounds, but under age 15, Arkansas law requires that the child use a seat belt.

We recommend that all Head Start and Early Head Start are properly restrained in the appropriate car seat restraint system when traveling in a vehicle.

Below is a chart which details what type of seat is required at different ages.

 

 

 

 

Age of Child

 

 

 

 

 

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

 

 

 

 

Car Seat Restraint

Required

Optional

Not Necessary

 

 

 

 

Seat Belt Restraint

Not Permissible

Permissible

Required

 

 

Front Seat Allowance

Not Recommended*

Permissible

 

 

 

Booster Seat Law

N/A

Strongly Suggested**

Not Necessary

 

 

Car Seat Laws

* Rear facing seats should never be used in the front seat if the vehicle contains an active passenger-side airbag. Although not mandated, the safest place for your child of any age is in the back seat of the vehicle.

** Independent of regulations, children between the ages of 4 and 8, or weighing under 80 lbs, should sit in a booster seat.

 

Please review the information above to ensure that your child is as safe as possible when traveling with you.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Jerry N. Adair

Executive Director