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Rhode Island Child Passenger Restraints Requirements
Rhode Island Legislature Laws § 31-22-22. (a) (1) on Safety belt use - Child restraint reads: "(a) (1) Any person transporting a child under the age of eight (8), less than fifty-seven inches (57″) in height and less than eighty pounds (80 lbs.), in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall transport the child in any rear seating position of the motor vehicle properly restrained in a child restraint system approved by the United States Department of Transportation under 49 C.F.R. § 571.213. "
Rear-Facing
Rhode Island Rear-facing Car Seat Laws
Forward-Facing
Rhode Island Forward facing Car Seat Rules
Booster
Rhode Island Booster Seat Laws
Front Seat Laws
When can child sit in front seat Rhode Island
Car Seats List
Best car seat to meet Rhode Island laws
US Car Seat Laws
Seat Laws across the United States
Rhode Island Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws
According to the regulations in section § 31-22-22 (a) 1 in Rhode Island laws, infants and toddlers under 2 years of age or weighing less than 30 pounds must travel in a rear-facing car seat.
Safety tips:
- Never put a rear-facing car seat in the forward-facing position or in front of an active airbag.
- Most infant-only car seats satisfy the weight requirement, but may not last for 2 years of use for your child’s second birthday. For this instance, it’s better to get a car seat for 2 years old with longer rear-facing time.
Rhode Island Forward Facing Car Seat Laws
The rules in section § 31-22-22 (a) 1 indicate that children who are two years of age or older should use a forward-facing car seat when they reach the highest weight or height limit set by the manufacturer.
The front-facing car seat should feature a harness.
Safety tips:
- A 5-point harness is still the best to secure the toddlers and preschoolers at this age and weight range.
- The child should stay in this type of car seat as long as possible until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
Child Booster Seat Laws in Rhode Island
Interpreting the rules in § 31-22-22 (a) 1, children under eight years of age, shorter than 57 inches, and less than 80 lbs. must ride in a booster seat, after they outgrow their rear- and forward-facing car seats.
Safety tips:
- The child should use a booster seat until the eighth birthday.
- Don’t rashly get the child out of a car seat until they exceed the height or weight limit of their booster seats.
Seat Belt Laws for Rhode Island
According to Rhode Island laws in section § 31-22-22 (a) 1 and (b) (1), a child who is at least 57-inches in height or weighing 80 pounds or more must ride with a seat belt and/ or shoulder harness until age 18.
The seat belt or shoulder harness should be approved by the Department of Transportation pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 571.208.
The child is required to be placed in the rear back seat when wearing a seat belt.
This rule applies even when the child is 8 years or younger. It means that your child is big enough when they are 57-inches or taller, or 80 pounds or heavier.
However, the laws just talk about the minimum requirements. You may need a few advanced safety tips.
Safety tips:
- Keep your child in a booster seat for as long as possible until he or she outgrows their booster seat.
- If your child is eight years old but does not fit well in a seat belt, a harness system is legally approved for security as well.
- It’s better to use Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts for optimal protection.
When can a child legally sit in the front seat in Rhode Island?
According to Rhode Island car seat law, a child can’t sit in the front seat before the age of 8. A fine of $85 will be slapped for not following this law.
However, this law is a minimum requirement, and child safety experts recommend your child sit in the back seat until the age of 13.
Penalty for Breaking Car Seat Laws in Rhode Island
Violating the Rhode Island law to transport a child without a child restraint system requires the operator to appear in court, along with a fine of up to $85.
If you fail to buckle up the seat belt for children over 8 years old, you’ll be fined $85.
If you transport a child younger than 8 years old in the front seat, you’ll also be fined another $85.
Rhode Island Car Seat Laws Apply for
Every person transporting a child shall be responsible for assuring that each child is properly restrained pursuant to Rhode Island State Law, no matter whether you are a resident or traveler.
Exceptions
No exceptions are stated in the car seat laws in Rhode Island.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island law does not list any exception for a taxicab.
It’s supposed the car seat law is suitable for all operators.
However, this does not mean the taxi drivers should be responsible for preparing a car seat for little passengers. It’s the parents’ and guardians’ responsibility for the child’s safety in a motor vehicle.
Age, Weight, Height Requirements in Rhode Island Law
Age, weight, and height are the most common three criteria in the Rhode Island seat belt law on transporting a child.
Rear-facing (stage 1): under two years of age & 30 pounds
Forward-facing (stage 2): two years older, no specific weight and height requirements
Booster (stage 3): under eight years old, 80 pounds in weight, 57 inches tall
Seat belt (stage 4): bigger than 8 years old
Further Information
What you Need to Know – Four Car Seat Stages
Best Car Seats to Work with Rhode Island Laws
Based on the Colorado child car seat laws, here are the best car seats that will ride your boys or girls safely without breaking the rules.
To help parents quickly find the best option based on your child’s current age, this list is made by age.
Newborn - 2 Years Old
Rear-facing car seats
Birth - 4 Years Old
Convertible car seats for use
4-8 Years Old
Booster seats for use
With Special Functions
Car seats with Unique Features
Birth - 2 Years
30-lb rear-facing maximum weight
35-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
40-lb rear-facing maximum weight
50-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
Birth - 4 Years
65-lb forward-facing maximum weight
49-inch forward-facing maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
4-8 Years
100-lb booster maximum weight
120-lb booster maximum weight
57-in booster maximum height
63-in booster maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
- Best to Fit 3 Across – Diono Radian 3R
- Best with backless booster – Graco 4Ever DLX
The Diono Cambria 2 XL combines a highback and backless booster into one. It provides spacious room for growing big kids.
Diono Cambria 2 XL
- Weight Range: 40-120 lb.
- Height Limit: 63 in.
- Lifespan: 8 years
- Type: Booster
- Stage: 3rd
- Suitable for: 4-10 years old
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Up to 63-inch height limit
- XL size for roomy space
- Two modes for booster
- 8 years of lifespan
The Bad
- Can’t be installed on airplane
- Not fit 3 across
Car Seats with Unique Functions
For Travel
- Doona infant car seat stroller (with wheels)
- Evenfloy Shyft DualRide (wheeled car seat stroller combo)
Further Information
Slim Fit to Do 3 Across
- Diono Radian 3R and Radian series (17″)
- Evenflo Revolve360 Slim (16.75″)
Car seat with 5-point harness
- Britax One4Life (120 lbs/ 63”)
Further Information
Further Information
Best Car Seats to Work with Colorado Laws
Based on the Colorado child car seat laws, here are the best car seats that will ride your boys or girls safely without breaking the rules.
To help parents quickly find the best option based on your child’s current age, this list is made by age.
Newborn - 2 Years Old
Rear-facing car seats
Birth - 4 Years Old
Convertible car seats for use
4-8 Years Old
Booster seats for use
With Special Functions
Car seats with Unique Features
Birth - 2 Years
30-lb rear-facing maximum weight
35-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
40-lb rear-facing maximum weight
50-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
Birth - 4 Years
65-lb forward-facing maximum weight
49-inch forward-facing maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
4-8 Years
100-lb booster maximum weight
120-lb booster maximum weight
57-in booster maximum height
63-in booster maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
- Best to Fit 3 Across – Diono Radian 3R
- Best with backless booster – Graco 4Ever DLX
The Diono Cambria 2 XL combines a highback and backless booster into one. It provides spacious room for growing big kids.
Diono Cambria 2 XL
- Weight Range: 40-120 lb.
- Height Limit: 63 in.
- Lifespan: 8 years
- Type: Booster
- Stage: 3rd
- Suitable for: 4-10 years old
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Up to 63-inch height limit
- XL size for roomy space
- Two modes for booster
- 8 years of lifespan
The Bad
- Can’t be installed on airplane
- Not fit 3 across
Car Seats with Unique Functions
For Travel
- Doona infant car seat stroller (with wheels)
- Evenfloy Shyft DualRide (wheeled car seat stroller combo)
Further Information
Slim Fit to Do 3 Across
- Diono Radian 3R and Radian series (17″)
- Evenflo Revolve360 Slim (16.75″)
Car seat with 5-point harness
- Britax One4Life (120 lbs/ 63”)
Further Information
Further Information