Child passenger safety seats are required for children under what age?

Child passenger safety seats are required for children under 8 years old because research and safety guidelines have shown that younger children are particularly vulnerable in the event of a vehicle crash. The use of appropriate safety seats significantly reduces the risk of injury or death for young passengers. These regulations are grounded in the understanding that children's bodies are not fully developed and require additional protection that standard seat belts do not provide.

In Texas, the law stipulates that children under 8 must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. This requirement aims to ensure that children are properly restrained according to their size and weight, which is crucial in minimizing injury during a collision. Properly used car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by more than 70% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. Therefore, the requirement for child passenger safety seats until a child reaches 8 years old reflects best practices in child safety.