For parents, a child’s car seat is an essential piece of equipment. It keeps your child safe in the event of an accident and can make the difference between life and death. The New Mexico car seat law is a set of rules that help you keep your children safe in the event of an accident. This article explores the basics of this law, as well as some best practices to keep your kids safe while traveling with them.
- New Mexico Car Seat Laws
- New Mexico Infant/Toddler Car Seat Law
- New Mexico Rear-facing Car Seat Law
- New Mexico Forward-facing Car Seat Law
- New Mexico booster seat law
- Requirements for children to use the front seat in New Mexico
- Taxi Car Seat Law in New Mexico
- New Mexico car seat replacement law after Accident
- Law on leaving a child in a car in New Mexico
- Penalties For Violating New Mexico Car Seat Laws
- Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in New Mexico?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in New Mexico
- Child passenger safety-related videos New Mexico
- More information and resources on car seat safety New Mexico
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
New Mexico Car Seat Laws
New Mexico Infant/Toddler Car Seat Law
Infants weighing less than 20 pounds must remain in rear-facing/infant car seats until they reach the age of 12 months. These seats must be federally approved and equipped with a five-point harness system.
New Mexico Rear-facing Car Seat Law
According to New Mexico law, all children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the age of one and may continue to do so as long as they remain within the weight restriction. The rear-facing seat must be fitted in the vehicle’s back seat.
New Mexico Forward-facing Car Seat Law
Children who have outgrown rear-facing seats should ride in forward-facing seats until they reach the seat’s maximum weight and height limitations. The majority of seats can handle up to 40 pounds, while some can support up to 60 pounds or more. This means that some children can safely remain forward-facing until they reach the age of seven. The seat should have a harness and be approved by the federal government.
New Mexico booster seat law
Children aged 5 and 6 who have outgrown the forward-facing seat regulation in New Mexico are required to ride in booster seats. Additionally, the legislation mandates children ages 7 to 12 to ride in booster seats until they are large enough to use seat belts. Children weighing fewer than 60 pounds are obliged to use booster seats or car seats, as necessary based on the weight and height requirements of the car seat.
Requirements for children to use the front seat in New Mexico
There is no age listed in the New Mexico law. However, we may follow the expert advice and best practices; it is safe for children to sit in the rear seat until they are at least 13.
If you are confused about whether your child should use a booster seat or an adult seat belt only, this simple test will help you decide.
The Five-Step Seat Belt Fit Test:
- Is the child able to sit all of the way back against the auto seat?
- Are the child’s knees able to bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat?
- Is the belt crossing over the shoulder between the neck and arm?
- Is the lap belt as low as possible, with the thighs?
- Is it possible for the child to remain in this position the whole journey?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your kid is not ready for an adult seat belt and still requires a booster seat to travel safely in the car. Boosters are popular with kids since they are more comfortable!
Taxi Car Seat Law in New Mexico
In New Mexico, there aren’t any clear rules about whether taxis have to follow car seat laws.
When traveling with a baby, it is always recommended to bring your own car seat. This is because the taxi companies do not have enough resources to accommodate all the different types of car seats and there are some instances where they will not even provide you with a car seat. So when traveling in a taxi, make sure that you bring your own car seat.
New Mexico car seat replacement law after Accident
There is no law requiring car seats to be replaced. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that car seats be replaced following a serious or moderate accident. Car seat manufacturers also add expiration dates, so be sure to check yours.
Law on leaving a child in a car in New Mexico
The state has no rules governing instances in which children are left alone in a vehicle. However, if a kid is harmed as a result of your negligence, you may be found guilty. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle for an extended period of time.
There are many dangers that can happen if you leave your child unattended in a car. The most obvious danger is that your child will get into hot temperatures and be dehydrated. Another danger would be that there may be toxic substances left by other people in the car, such as gas or drugs.
Finally, it’s important to remember that your vehicle can become hot enough to cause severe burns on your child’s skin if left for long periods of time.
Penalties For Violating New Mexico Car Seat Laws
For a first offense, violators of New Mexico’s Safety Belt Use Act may be fined $25.00 and incur two points on their driver’s license. For further crimes, you may face a higher fine and additional points on your driver’s license, which may result in an increase in your insurance premiums or the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in New Mexico?
Yes, it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child passenger in New Mexico. We discourage smoking in cars with a child passenger inside.
Smoking in a car with a child present can be hazardous to the health of both the child and the smoker.
The dangers include:
- Increased carbon monoxide levels may lead to death.
- The chemicals in cigarettes produce tar which is harmful to children’s lungs and bloodstream.
- Smoking can cause anemia, dehydration, or malnutrition if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Car Seat Inspections Help in New Mexico
Child passenger safety-related videos New Mexico
Installing a Rear-facing Car Safety Seat
Installing a Car Seat Properly
Car Seat Safety Tips
Car seat check: An easy guide
More information and resources on car seat safety New Mexico
- American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Recommendations
- American Automobile Association Car Seat Guide
- Are you using the correct child seat?
- Car seat safety: Avoid 9 common mistakes
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Child Passenger Safety
- New Mexico – Car Seat and Booster Seat
- NHTSA Car Seat Recommendations for Children
- Premature Babies and Babies with Medical Conditions
- Safe Kids Worldwide Ultimate car Seat guide
USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
FIND YOUR STATE’S CAR SEAT LAWS
Click on your state on the map below to see your state’s car seat law
