• All kids seven or younger must ride in either a booster seat or car seat.
• Seat belts may substitute for a booster or car seat, provided your child weighs 80 pounds or more and tops 59 inches.
• Lap belts may be worn instead, provided your vehicle only has lap belts and your child weighs 40 pounds or more.
• Kids between the ages of seven and 17 must either wear a seat belt or be seated in a child restraint. This applies to both the front and back seats.
• All drivers are responsible for making sure all of their passengers 18 or younger are properly secured. If found negligent, you will be fined $25 and have one point added to your driving record.

Unattended Children In Vehicles

No rule specific to leaving unattended toddlers in vehicles exists. Local and state authorities, however, can still use their own legal discretion in issuing child negligence charges. A child left alone in a car could be subjected to death from the weather; an accident due to the child climbing out of the seat; and even kidnapping. In short, it’s a bad idea.