There is not a parent out there who doesn’t remember how nervous they were driving their newborn away from the hospital. The traffic around them was all too close and moving way too fast.
But, somehow, over time, even parents seem to forget how fragile kids are.
In 2023, Colorado State troopers wrote 1,143 citations for improperly secured children in vehicles on Colorado’s roadways.
“It is a primary offense for children under 16 to be without a seat belt or improperly restrained in a vehicle,” explained Trooper Kent Trimbach, Colorado Child Passenger Safety Program coordinator. “This means you can be pulled over without committing any other traffic infraction because the bottom line is kids are relying on you for their safety.”
In the above circumstances where a citation was issued, the seat was either improperly installed into the vehicle, or the child wasn’t using a child restraint at all. Troopers will not forego a ticket because a child has just figured out how to defeat the system, doesn’t want to wear a seat belt and is roaming free in the vehicle.
Last year, out of more than 5,000 free car seat checks performed in Colorado, there was a 66 percent misuse rate.
Car seats can be tricky, but there are free resources to help you get it right. Parents and caregivers can learn more about Colorado child passenger safety laws, recommendations and recalls at CarSeatsColorado.com. Parents can also locate a free car seat check station to inspect their seat for free.
With demands pulling us in all different directions, we can get good at cutting corners. Don’t cut corners where your child’s safety is at stake, and remember it may not be your driving that is dangerous, but those around you who pose risks to your children you did not plan for when you failed to buckle up.
Colorado child restraint requirements
• Less than 1 year and weighing less than 20 pounds: Properly secured in a rear‑facing child restraint system in a rear seat of the vehicle.
• One year to 4 years, and weighing 20 to 40 pounds: Properly secured in a rear‑facing or forward‑facing child restraint system.
• Children up to 8 years: Properly secured in a child restraint system, such as a booster seat, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Eight to 15 years: Properly restrained in a safety belt or child restraint system according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Source: Sections 42‑4‑236 and 42-4‑237, Colorado Revised Statutes.
In addition, teen drivers can also be pulled over if they or any of their passengers are seen without a seat belt.
Colorado’s seat belt laws for youth
Teens: Colorado’s graduated driver’s licensing law requires all drivers under 18 and their passengers, regardless of their age, to wear seat belts. This is a primary enforcement, meaning teens can be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt or having passengers without seat belts.
Children: Colorado’s child passenger safety law is a primary enforcement, meaning the driver can be stopped and ticketed if an officer sees an unrestrained or improperly restrained child under age 16 in the vehicle.
