Mississippi Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified

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Mississippi Car Seat Laws

Car Seat Law in Mississippi (MS Statute 63-2- and 63-7-301)

What do the child car seat laws in Mississippi say?

  • Infants, toddlers, preschoolers under 4 years must be secured in a child restraint device or system which meets federal safety standards.
  • Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4-7 years and under 4 feet 9 inches in height or weighs less than 65 lbs. should be properly secured by a belt-positioning booster seat system that meets federal safety standards.
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More on The Law

  • A violation of the law shall attract a fine of not more than $25.

Mississippi Car Seat Laws on Rear-facing

The Mississippi car seat laws do not mention a type of car seat.

However, by standards and as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a rear-facing car seat is to be used for infants and toddlers under 2 years of age.

Therefore, you should use a rear-facing car seat for your little one until they reach the height and weight limit instructed by the car seat manufacturer.

Forward-facing Car Seat Laws in Mississippi

The State of Mississippi does not also mention a forward-facing car seat.

But by definition of a “child restraint device or system,” a forward-facing seat should be an appropriate device.

The forward-facing car seat is recommended for children who have outgrown the limit for their rear-facing seat weight and height.

Mississippi Booster Seat Laws

  • Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4-7 years and under 4 feet 9 inches in height or weighs less than 65 lbs. should be properly secured by a belt-positioning booster seat system that meets federal safety standards.

By this law, a child between 4-7 years and less than 57 inches in height should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are large enough for seat belts to fit properly.

Mississippi Child Seat Belt Laws

The legislature of the State of Mississippi states

  • “every operator, every front-seat passenger, and every child who is at least four (4) years of age but under twelve (12) years of age, regardless of the seat that such child occupies, shall wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system.”

By this law, children between 4 and 12 years must be properly secured by a safety belt.

However, the other child restraint system laws still hold.

It is recommended that you use the appropriate car seat for your child at the respective ages.

However, you should note that the booster seat required for 4-7 years old is to be used with safety belts. Belt-positioning booster seats can also be used for children up to 8-12 years till they are big enough for seat belts to fit correctly (usually at 12 years).

Other Laws About Car Seat You Need to Know About in Mississippi

Car Laws for Other Passengers in A Car

All other occupants of the car must make use of a seat belt.

Front Passenger Seat Law in Mississippi – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?

Still on the law quoted above,

  • “every operator, every front-seat passenger and every child who is at least four (4) years of age but under twelve (12) years of age, regardless of the seat that such child occupies, shall wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system.”

This law mentions “regardless of seat.”

That would mean a child over 4 years old can ride in ‘any seat position’ in a car in Mississippi. However, this will not be recommended.

Generally, children under 13 should ride in the back seat with a seat belt fastened correctly.

Also note, you should never install a rear-facing infant safety seat in the front passenger seat with an airbag activated. The safest spot in a car is the center rear position.

Mississippi Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis or Cabs

Mississippi laws doesn’t mention that taxis are exempted from the car seat laws.

  • “Every person transporting a child under the age of four (4) years in a passenger motor vehicle, * * *.”
  • “”Passenger motor vehicle”.… means a motor vehicle designed to carry fifteen (15) or fewer passengers, including the driver, but does not include motorcycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles or trailers.”

Taxis are not exempted.

Are you boarding a taxi, cab, or Uber? You must also learn how to install an infant seat in a taxi or cab or uber correctly since you don’t have to go with the base.

Carrying a car seat with the base can be bulky (more often, it is fixed in a car while the seat itself can be detached anytime and installed in another vehicle using the seat belt). You may need to learn how to install a car seat without base.

This will be helpful if you have to take your car seat in an Uber, a taxi, or a cab or when you have to switch cars with your partner.

Can You Leave A Child in Your Car Alone in Mississippi?

Mississippi doesn’t prohibit such. Nevertheless, it is not recommended.

Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal in Mississippi?

Smoking in a car around minors isn’t yet illegal in Mississippi. A bill was proposed to ban smoking in cars with children under 6, but it failed as of 2018.

Secondhand smoke, however, is unhealthy for children. According to NIS (National Institute for Health), more than 150,000 children in the United States under 18 years develop pneumonia and bronchitis. Younger children are also predisposed to other health risks such as severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

So as much as possible, try not to smoke around infants and minors.

Getting Help in Mississippi

Here are some go-to resources if you need more help on any aspect (car seat installation, inspection stations, etc.)

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