What is required for a child safety seat in Texas?

In Texas, the law requires that a child safety seat must be used until the child is either 8 years old or reaches a height of 4 feet 9 inches. This guideline is designed to ensure that children are safely secured in an appropriate restraint system that fits their size and weight, which significantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of a collision. By setting the age and height requirements, the legislation focuses on the developmental stages of a child, ensuring that they transition to seat belts only when they are adequately sized to use them safely.

Using a safety seat beyond the age of 5 reflects a stronger safety approach, as children develop at different rates, and simply reaching a certain age does not guarantee that they are ready for a seat belt. This also aligns with recommendations from safety organizations, which emphasize the importance of utilizing proper restraints tailored to the child’s size.