RI.gov R.I. Government Agencies | Privacy Policy |

A Plan Toward Zero Deaths

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee on October 1 signed Rhode Island's 2012 Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The plan is a blueprint for moving Toward Zero Deaths, a national effort to cut traffic fatalities and serious injuries in half by 2030. Watch a video on TZD that premiered at the SHSP signing event.

Highway Safety Performance Plan

The Rhode Island Highway Safety Performance Plan serves as the State of Rhode Island’s application for Federal funds for highway safety programs. The goals for the RIDOT Office on Highway Safety are described in the plan, along with performance measures, and strategies related to the program areas.

Major program areas:

Common Seat Belt Questions

Common Child Seat Questions

Home > Highway Safety > Child Restraints > Proper Child Safety Seat Chart

Proper Child Safety Seat Chart

Warning! All children under the age of 12 should ride in the back of a car. Shoulder straps should never be placed under the arm or behind the back when used by children or adults. Kids come in different shapes and sizes. Choose a car seat or booster seat based on age, height and weight and physical development.

Proper Child Safety Seat Chart
 

INFANT

(birth to age 1)

TODDLER

(age 1 to age 4)

YOUNG CHILDREN

(age 4 to 8 or 12)
Age & Weight Guidelines
Birth to 1 year of age and Less than 20 pounds
1 year of age and
At least 20 pounds
and up to 40 pounds
Until age 8 or 12. At least 40 pounds, but
less than 80 pounds. Height is a more important guideline - booster seat needed until a child has reached 4 feet, 9 inches tall
Type of Seat

Infant carrier seat
(5 to 22 pounds) or

Convertible rear/front facing seat in rear facing position
(5 to 30/35 pounds)

Check seat for actual rear-facing weight limit.

Convertible rear/front facing seat

(Rear facing - generally between 5 and 30/35 pounds. Check the height and weight limits of the seat.)

(Front facing - between 20 and 40 pounds) OR

Front-facing only toddler seat
(40 pound weight limit
with harness system)

Belt-positioning booster seat

Low-back booster - use when vehicle has head rest protection in the back seat.

High-back booster-use in vehicles without back seat head rests.
Position

Always position your infant rear facing regardless of weight.

Your infant must face the rear at least until he or she reaches the age of 1 and is
at least 20 pounds.
Positioning depends on the weight of your toddler. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children use a rear-facing seat until age 2, or until they reach the height and weight limits of the seat. It's a good idea to use a convertible seat to its rear-facing weight limit.

Position your child in a booster seat (forward facing only).

A booster seat can only be used in a vehicle with lap and shoulder belts in the rear seats.
Harness Straps
Harness straps must be at or below the shoulder level, and fit snugly. Harness clip must be at armpit level.
When front facing in a convertible seat, harness straps must be in the top slots. Harness clip must be at armpit level.
 Use both lap and shoulder straps. The lap strap must fit low and tight across the lap and upper thigh area, and the shoulder strap must fit snug across the chest and shoulder.