Child Passenger Safety Tips For Tennessee & Georgia Drivers

Drivers in North Georgia and Chattanooga, TN must always be mindful of who might be traveling with them in the car. With school back in session, a whole new class of children will be shuffled in car seats or upgraded to booster seats. These decisions — rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, or seat belt — can be life‑saving. Let’s discuss some tips on child passenger safety that will benefit drivers in North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Why Car Seats Matter

Car crashes are a leading cause of child injury in the U.S. The good news is that properly securing children in car seats that meet federal motor vehicle safety standards goes a long way in keeping them safe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when the correct seat is properly installed, it dramatically reduces the risk of fatal injury.

NHTSA hosts Child Passenger Safety Week annually during the third week of September, but it should be observed year-round. Be sure your car seat has not expired, is properly installed and secured, and that newborns up through most three‑year‑olds are in rear-facing car seats, as recommended by NHTSA.

NHTSA’s Recommendations

Rear-Facing (Birth–3 years): The safest option. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the height or weight limit set by their car seat.
Forward-Facing (1–7 years): Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, NHTSA notes, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
Booster (4–12 years): After outgrowing the forward-facing seat, children should use a booster until adult seat belts fit properly — with the lap belt across the thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest.
Seat Belt (8–12 years): Children can transition to a seat belt when it fits correctly, but should always ride in the back seat through age 12.

Georgia Child Passenger Laws

Georgia state law (§40-8-76) requires:

Children under age 8 and under 4’9”: Must ride in a car seat or booster, in the back seat if available.
Children age 8+ or at least 4’9”: Can use a seat belt if it fits properly.

Tennessee Child Passenger Laws

Tennessee’s Child Restraint Law (T.C.A. 55-9-602) requires:

Under age 1 & under 20 lbs: Rear-facing seat.
Ages 1–3 (over 20 lbs): Forward-facing seat with a harness.
Ages 4–8 and under 4’9”: Booster seat.
Ages 9–12 (or at least 4’9”): Proper‑fitting seat belt.
Children under 13 must, when possible, ride in the back seat.

Resources For Parents in GA and TN

Even the most careful parents sometimes struggle with car seat installation. A seat that looks secure may not actually be installed correctly — and studies show most seats have at least one mistake in setup. The good news: free help is widely available.

Tennessee: The Safe Kids coalition operates statewide, and many fire departments and police departments provide free car seat checks.
Georgia: Families can visit Department of Public Health car seat inspection sites or contact local Safe Kids Georgia programs.
National Tool: Use NHTSA’s “ Car Seat Finder” and “Car Seat Inspection locator” to find certified technicians near you.

As a personal injury attorney serving Tennessee and Georgia, I’ve seen firsthand how tragedy can follow when a child isn’t properly secured. The laws in both states are designed to mirror best practices from NHTSA, but parents should always focus on maximum safety — not just the legal minimum.

Every drive, no matter how short, is a chance to protect your child. Check your seats, buckle them correctly, and make child passenger safety a daily habit.

Your GA/TN Car Wreck Lawyer

Contact a lawyer if your child was injured or died from an injury caused by the actions of another person. Pritchard Injury Firm’s North Georgia/TN fatal accident lawyers can evaluate the claim and take steps to build and strengthen your case. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm for a free consultation.