2020 Will Bring Changes to Car Seat Laws in Washington

The new year will bring resolutions to fulfill and also revised laws to follow, including car seat laws. The new laws will go into effect January 1st.

"It's designed to keep kids as safe as possible for as long as possible and it follows the American Academy of Pediatric Recommendation," said Shelly Baldwin, Washington Traffic Safety Commission legislative & media director.

According to Baldwin, parents should keep their child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, at least to the age of 2, but possibly longer than that.

"You want to put a child in a five point harness until the age of four, at least. Or wait until they outgrow the specifications for that seat in a five point harness," said Baldwin. "Once they hit four, you're going to want to keep them in a booster seat until they're at least 4'9 or 13 years old."

In review: children up to 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, children between 2 and 4 must be in a car seat, forward or rear facing, with a harness. Children four and older, less than four feet nine inches tall should be secured in a booster seat with a seat belt.