At Starfish Family Services, the safety and well-being of your children is at the heart of everything we do. From the classroom to the car ride home, we’re here to support our families with tools, resources, and up-to-date information to help you make the best decisions for your loved ones. That’s why we want to make sure you’re aware of the new Michigan car seat laws that went into effect on April 2, 2025. These updates are designed to better protect children of all ages while traveling in vehicles — and they reflect the latest research on child safety.
We know that keeping up with changing laws can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. These changes are designed to ensure that children are secured in car seats appropriate for their age, weight, and height, thereby reducing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Below is a clear breakdown of what the new law says, what it means for your family, and how Starfish can help.
What the New Michigan Car Seat Law Says:
According to the Michigan State Police and the Office of Highway Safety Planning, here are the updated guidelines based on a child’s age and size:
Infants to Two Years Old:
- Children must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer or until they turn two years old.
Two to Five Years Old:
- After outgrowing the rear-facing car seat, children should transition to a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness. They must remain in this seat until they reach the manufacturer’s specified weight or height limit or until they turn five years old.
Five to Eight Years Old:
- Children should use a belt-positioning booster seat with a lap-and-shoulder belt until they are eight years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall, whichever comes first.
Children Under 13 Years Old:
- All children younger than 13 must ride in the rear seat of a vehicle if one is available.
Additional Requirements:
Children younger than four years old must ride in a car seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. If all rear seats are occupied by children under four, a child may ride in a car seat in the front seat. However, if the child is in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat, the passenger-side airbag must be deactivated.
Children must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are eight years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall, whichever comes first.
Importance of Compliance:
Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for young children. Proper use of child restraints can significantly reduce the risk of fatal injury—by 71% for infants younger than one year old and by 54% for children aged one to four years old.
Recommendations for Parents and Caregivers:
- Regularly Review Car Seat Guidelines: Ensure that your child’s car seat meets the updated legal requirements and is appropriate for their current age, weight, and height.
- Seek Professional Assistance: Have your car seat installation inspected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to confirm it is installed correctly. Resources for finding a technician are available through the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of any future changes to child passenger safety laws and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.
Why This Matters to Us at Starfish:
We work daily to ensure children have safe, healthy, and nurturing environments to grow and thrive. That includes promoting physical safety in all areas of life—including the drive to and from school or child care. We know many of our families juggle multiple children, work schedules, and transportation needs. Car seat safety may feel like just one more thing to manage, but it’s one of the most critical ways to protect your child.
How Starfish Can Support You:
Your child’s safety matters to us—on the road and everywhere in between. If you have questions about the new law or want to speak with someone at Starfish about car seat safety or community support, we’re here for you.
Together, we can create safer journeys—one ride at a time.