Maine front seat laws and rules governing car seat requirements are generally in place to keep children safe while out on the roads. Even from a practical viewpoint, where children sit in a car and how they are secured ensures their well-being and safety when traveling in a vehicle.
Maine’s child passenger safety laws, however, prioritize the protection of young passengers and are considered among the strictest in the country. Safety seat belts and child restraint systems are designed to protect children from injury or harm during sudden stops, sharp turns, or other unexpected vehicle movements. Child restraint systems, such as car seats and booster seats, accommodate the unique needs of children of different ages and sizes, providing a secure and comfortable fit to help prevent injury.
Front Seat Law
A front seat law is a regulation that specifies the age or weight at which a child can safely sit in the front seat of a car. As the front seat is often the most hazardous location in the vehicle in the event of a collision, the primary purpose of front seat laws is to minimize the risk of injury to children. By setting a minimum age or weight threshold, these laws aim to ensure that children are physically and developmentally ready to sit in the front seat without compromising their safety.
In the US, these laws vary by state and are generally defined by age, weight, and, in some instances, height requirements. Maine’s front seat law sets an age restriction and weight limit for those who can legally sit in the front seat of a vehicle. State law requires drivers to ensure that children under 12 years of age and 100 pounds are properly secured in the rear seat of a car, if possible.
Car Seat Requirements
As with front seat laws, Maine child safety seat regulations are categorized by age and weight. Children under 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system or a convertible child restraint system in the rear-facing position, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The rear-facing position is generally recommended for children under a certain age and weight limit, as specified by the child restraint system manufacturer. If the child exceeds the recommended weight or height limit for the rear-facing position, they can be secured in a forward-facing position. In this case, adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions for the child restraint system and the vehicle is still necessary.
Children 2 years or older weighing under 55 pounds must be secured in a child restraint system with an internal harness, following the manufacturer’s instructions. If the child exceeds the recommended height limit for their child restraint system, they must be secured in a federally approved belt-positioning seat instead.
Five-Point Harness Restraint
Regarding weight, Maine’s child passenger safety law also mandates using a federally approved five-point harness child restraint system for children under 55 pounds. This requirement is based on the understanding that a forward-facing car seat equipped with a five-point harness system provides significantly more protection than a basic seat belt. The five-point harness system, which consists of straps that cross the child’s body at five points, is designed to distribute the force of a crash more evenly, reducing the risk of injury or ejection from the vehicle.
Rules For Children Under 18
Children younger than 8 years old, weigh less than 80 pounds, and are under 57 inches tall (4 feet, 9 inches) must use a belt-positioning seat, such as a booster or other child restraint system, according to the car seat and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. Children under 18 who don’t meet the above criteria must wear a seat belt while riding in the vehicle.
Fines
The fine for violating any of the above front seat and car seat laws is $50 for a first offense, $125 for a second offense, and $250 for a third or subsequent offense. All violations are considered traffic infractions.
More than simply the law, the Hardy Wolf & Downing team believes that child passenger safety is a priority for all. To ensure their safety and well-being, follow the law—children of all ages must be secured in an age-appropriate child restraint system, whether a car seat or seat belt. If you or a loved one are ever in an accident and need legal assistance, contact us. We are a phone call away. We know the law and are here to help.