Children, typically ages 12 and under, also should ride buckled up in the back seat. The safest place for children is in the back seat of a car. Young children and infants always should ride in age and size appropriate safety seats. The safety seat should be held properly in place by the vehicle's safety belts and the child should be correctly buckled in the child safety seat. Although Indiana law does not require it, the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration strongly recommends all children under 80 pounds ride in a booster seat once they have outgrown a child car seat.
Seat belts used with booster seats hold a child more securely in place if the vehicle crashes.
Children under four years of age must be in an age appropriate child seat. Children ages four to 12 years of age must be in a child car seat or belted. A vehicle may be stopped to determine if the driver and passengers are properly restrained. However, a vehicle, the contents, the driver or a passengers may not be inspected, searched or detained solely because of a seat belt violation.