Children under what age must be secured in a child restraint system?

In Indiana, the law requires that children under 8 years old must be secured in a child restraint system. This law is designed to ensure the safety of young passengers as they are more vulnerable to serious injury in the event of a crash. Child restraint systems, which include car seats and booster seats, are specifically designed to provide the best protection for a child's size and age, ensuring that they are properly secured to minimize the risk of injury.

For children aged 8 years and older, although they can transition to using a seatbelt alone, it is still advised to use a booster seat until the seatbelt fits appropriately. The choice of the correct age underscores the importance of adhering to child safety guidelines to protect the most precious passengers in vehicles, as younger children require additional support and restraint systems tailored to their smaller size. This law reflects a standard approach to child safety across many jurisdictions, recognizing that various developmental factors make younger children more susceptible to harm.