Summary of the Pennsylvania Child Passenger Protection Act

(Act 53, 1983, Act 22, 1993)

• All drivers transporting children from birth to age 4 are responsible to restrain those children in an approved child passenger restraint system.
• Infants from birth to age 4 must be in an approved child safety seat. The seat may be in any seating position equipped with a seat belt in the vehicle. (However, for maximum protection, the back seat is preferable.)
• Violators may be fined $25.00, plus court cost (adjusted annually); $30.00 CAT fund; $10.00 EMS fund and $1.50 administrative costs. The fine may be waived by showing proof of purchase and possession of a child safety seat at the time of court appearance.
• Violators may be stopped as a primary offense for non-compliance of the Child Passenger Protection Act.
• Fine collected will be placed in a fund used to purchase child safety seats for car seat loaner programs.
• Civil immunity for lenders of car seats has been granted. No person or organization who lends car seats shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from any acts or omission, except any act or omission intentionally designed to harm or any grossly negligent act or omission resulting in harm to another.
• Hospitals are required to notify parents of the PA Child Law and also the location of car seat loan programs in the community.

• Each driver and front seat passenger operating a passenger car, Class I and II truck or motor home, in the state of Pennsylvania, shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.
• The driver of the passenger automobile shall secure or cause to be secured with a seat belt any child over the age of 4 and under the age of 18 riding in the front seat.
• A driver who is under 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle in which the number of passengers exceeds the number of available safety belts in the vehicle.
• Violators, if convicted of the primary offense for which the vehicle was stopped, are liable to pay a $10.00 fine; $30.00 CAT fund; $10.00 EMS fund and $1.50 administrative cost for the seat belt violation.
• Exceptions to the law are made for (1) those with medical or psychological diagnoses that make them unable to wear a seat belt (written verification must be produced); (2) occupants of cars manufactured before July 1, 1966; (3) specific occupational designations.

NOTE: Children 12 and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat, small children should ride in a rear seat in child safety seats approved for their age and size, and infants in rear facing child safety seats should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger side air bag.

For clarification, other details, or a complete copy of the law, call 1-800-CAR-BELT