Child Passenger Safety Laws in Mississippi

1. What is the minimum age required for children to ride in a booster seat in Mississippi?


In Mississippi, the minimum age required for children to ride in a booster seat is 4 years old.

2. Does Mississippi require children to be in rear-facing car seats until a certain age?


Yes, Mississippi requires children to be in rear-facing car seats until they are at least two years old or reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

3. What type of car seat is required for newborns and infants in Mississippi?


In Mississippi, a rear-facing car seat is required for newborns and infants. The car seat must meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and be appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight.

4. Does Mississippi have a law requiring children to ride in the back seat of a vehicle?


Yes, Mississippi does have a law requiring children under the age of 13 to ride in the back seat of a vehicle.

5. How many passengers does Mississippi permit to ride in the back seat with a child who is using a safety seat?


Mississippi does not have any laws regarding the number of passengers who can ride in the back seat with a child using a safety seat. However, children under the age of 4 must be secured in an appropriate car seat or booster seat, and all passengers are required to wear a seat belt.

6. Does Mississippi have any restrictions regarding the use of cell phones by drivers with passengers under the age of 18?


Yes, Mississippi does have restrictions regarding the use of cell phones by drivers with passengers under the age of 18. It is illegal for drivers in Mississippi with passengers under the age of 18 to use a hand-held device while driving, including cell phones and other electronic devices.

7. Does Mississippi have laws that address the use of child restraint systems in taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles?


Yes, Mississippi does have laws that address the use of child restraint systems in taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles. Mississippi Code Section 63-7-301 (5) states that children under the age of six must be restrained in a child safety seat when riding in a taxicab or other for-hire vehicle. The child safety seat must meet all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

8. Are lap and shoulder belts required for all passengers in vehicles registered in Mississippi?


Yes, all passengers in vehicles registered in Mississippi must wear lap and shoulder belts.

9. Does Mississippi impose any restrictions on the use of rear-facing car seats on airplanes?


No, Mississippi does not impose any restrictions on the use of rear-facing car seats on airplanes. However, it is important to check with the airline to ensure that the car seat is approved for use on the aircraft and that it meets certain safety requirements.

10. Does Mississippi have any laws that prohibit drivers from smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18?


Yes. Mississippi does have a law that prohibits drivers from smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18. The law states that “It is unlawful for any person to smoke or permit any other person to smoke in any motor vehicle in which there is a person under the age of eighteen (18) years.”

11. Are there any laws in Mississippi that apply specifically to booster seat requirements?


Yes, Mississippi has laws in place that apply specifically to booster seat requirements. According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, all children who are under the age of seven and who weigh less than 60 pounds are required to use a booster seat when riding in a vehicle.

12. Does Mississippi allow for children under a certain age to be secured with a lap belt only?


No. Mississippi’s laws state that all children under the age of 16 must be secured in a safety seat or belt system appropriate for their age and size.

13. Which type of vehicles are exempt from child restraint laws in Mississippi?


In Mississippi, vehicles exempt from child restraint laws include school buses, taxis, and private passenger vehicles operated by a chauffeur who holds a valid commercial driver’s license.

14. Are there any laws in Mississippi that allow for exceptions to certain child restraint requirements for pregnant women?


No, there are no laws in Mississippi that allow for exceptions to certain child restraint requirements for pregnant women.

15. What are the penalties associated with violating child passenger safety laws in Mississippi?


Violating child passenger safety laws in Mississippi can lead to a fine of up to $50 for the first offense and up to $100 for subsequent offenses. Additionally, there may be court costs and other fees associated with the violation.

16. Are there any restrictions regarding children riding in the front seat of a vehicle in Mississippi?


Yes. Mississippi state law requires children who are 6 years of age or younger and who weigh less than 60 pounds to be secured in a child safety seat in the back seat of a vehicle. Children between the ages of 6 and 15 should also be seated in the back seat when possible.

17. Does Mississippi require the use of child safety seats at all times or just when certain criteria are met?


Mississippi requires the use of a child safety seat at all times until a child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall or weighs more than 80 pounds.

18. Is it legal to transport an unrestrained pet when transporting children in a vehicle registered in Mississippi?


No, it is not legal to transport an unrestrained pet when transporting children in a vehicle registered in Mississippi. Mississippi state law requires that all passengers, including pets, must be properly restrained while the vehicle is in motion.

19. What kind of child safety seats must be used when traveling on buses operating within Mississippi?


Children under the age of four must be restrained in a child safety seat that complies with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, on all buses operating within Mississippi.

20. Is there a law in Mississippi that requires all children riding in school buses to use booster seats or other child safety restraints?


No, there is no law in Mississippi that requires all children riding in school buses to use booster seats or other child safety restraints. However, the Mississippi Department of Education recommends that all students from birth to age 8 be secured in booster seats, car seats, or other child safety restraints during school bus transportation.