Written by Parnall Law Firm reviewed by Bert Parnall Car Accident Articles
Owner/CEO at Parnall Law Firm
As a parent or guardian, one of your key responsibilities is keeping your child safe while driving. You can protect your child from the risk of injuries by understanding and complying with New Mexico car seat laws this 2024.
According to NHTSA annual estimates, car seats save at least 325 children aged five years and below during crashes in the United States. Parents should understand the factors such as age, size, and weight to determine a suitable restraint system for a child.
Consult a trusted car accident attorney in New Mexico if you or a loved one has sustained an injury in a crash caused by someone else’s fault.
Here’s what you need to know.
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New Mexico car seat laws vary according to a child’s age and weight as follows:
Your child should use a booster seat after outgrowing a forward-facing car seat’s height and weight requirements. After outgrowing safety seats, booster seats help older kids stay safe in vehicles if they aren’t big enough to use seat belts.
Booster seat work by lifting a child so that the lap and shoulder belt are in a safe position.
Children below 4’’9 may not fit well in seat belts designed for adults. Inappropriate fitting of seat belts puts the child at serious risk of injury in the following ways.
The shoulder belts lie on the child’s neck instead of correctly over the shoulder and breastbone. As a result, children frequently place the shoulder belt under their arms or behind their backs because it feels uncomfortable against their face or neck.
The lap belt is positioned loosely on the abdomen instead of crossing low over the lap. The lap belt fit loosens when a child bends their knees above the vehicle seat.
Here are a few research facts that highlight the importance of booster seats:
Kids aged between 7 and 12 can ride the following types of booster seats:
Kids can stop using booster seats:
Children who outgrow booster seats but are below 13 years old should continue to ride in the back seat.
Here are further car seat regulations for children under 7 years:
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New Mexico applies primary seat-belt enforcement laws, which allow a law enforcement officer to pull over the vehicle for non-compliance.
In New Mexico, everyone in a vehicle designed with seat belts, including the driver and all passengers, must wear seat belts at all times, anytime the vehicle is in motion, regardless of seating position or age.
However, a few people are exempted from the rule, including:
New Mexico also applies primary child restraint enforcement laws to protect child passengers, allowing a police officer to stop the vehicle when there is a child inadequately restrained.
A car accident and injuries can cause serious injuries to your child, and your family can experience mounting medical bills and other losses. You need representation from an experienced attorney like Parnall Law who will aggressively fight for your right to compensation.
Contact us online or at (505) 268-6500 to get a free consultation.
Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, salutatorian of the Class of 1988 at Albuquerque High School, and co-captain of the district football champion Bulldogs. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University with a double major in history and French, and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law after coming home to Albuquerque.
Years of Experience: 27+ years
Justia Profile: Bert Parnall
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Bertrand Russell Parnall who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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