Public hearing on rear-facing car seats age mandates

Children 2-and-over would
be required to use them

There’s a public hearing in Madison today on a bill that would mandate children be put in rear-facing car seats until they’re 2 years old.

It’s a change recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Current law in Wisconsin mandates rear-facing seats only until 1 year, which can cause some confusion, says Libby Slavin, with the advocacy group, Safe Kids Wisconsin. 

“There’s times parents will ask us specifically, ‘Well what does the law say?’” Slavin told lawmakers in her testimony in the senate committee hearing today. “When we tell them what the law says and it’s different from what research shows, they’re looking to the law thinking that’s the best opportunity to keep their children safe.” 

Slavin says children less than 2 years old are far more likely to suffer head and neck injuries in an auto accident if they’re not in rear-facing car seats. Parents are also less likely to try and engage with their small child in the back seat, which can also create dangers of distraction while driving.