(LANSING) - New child passenger safety laws officially took effect April 1 in Michigan.
It is hoped that they will protect kids that are involved in vehicle crashes, which is the leading cause of death for young children.
The new laws require strict adherence to manufacturer weight and height limits. They say that infants must remain in rear-facing seats until the age of two, and then can transition to forward-facing seats until the age of five.
After age five, children must be in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are either 4' 9" in height or turn eight years old. In addition all passengers under the age of 13 are now required to ride in the rear seat whenever it's available.
The Michigan Office of Highway Planning is providing educational resources to help parents reduce their child's risk of fatal injury by up to 50%. Detailed flyers that outline the new requirements are available in. Local organizations can get these resources free of charge through the Traffic Safety Materials Catalog or by contacting the OHSP directly to ensure families are informed and compliant with the new safety regulations.