Under Texas law, what is the age requirement for children to be in a child safety seat?

In Texas, the law requires that children under 8 years of age must be secured in a child safety seat when traveling in a motor vehicle. This regulation is designed to enhance the safety of young passengers by ensuring they are properly restrained according to their age, height, and weight.

The law stipulates that until a child reaches 8 years old, they must be in a safety seat or booster seat, which provides a more secure restraint than regular seat belts. This age requirement reflects a significant understanding of child development and the increased safety needs of younger children, who may not be adequately protected by seat belts alone.

Additionally, the rules further specify that children who are less than 4 years old must be placed in a child safety seat that meets national standards, and that children aged 4 to 7 must be in a booster seat until they reach the appropriate height or weight to safely use an adult seat belt.

By implementing this requirement, Texas aims to reduce the risk of injury and fatalities among young children during vehicular accidents.