Does your family uses rideshare services like Uber and Lyft or taxis regularly? Whether they're your main mode of transportation or you use them while on vacation, keep car seat safety in mind every time you travel.
Current car seat laws in California require:
- All children under the age of 8 years or less than 4 feet 9 inches tall are to be transported in the vehicle's backseat in an appropriate child seat.
- Children younger than 2 years or under 40 pounds are to ride in a rear-facing car seat.
While California car seat laws apply to rideshare and taxi drivers, those companies are not required to provide car seats for child passengers.
"Whether taking a quick trip to the airport or traveling from the hotel to an amusement park, parents should bring a car seat for every child. They should ensure it's properly secured in the taxi or rideshare vehicle," said Misael Chavarin, child passenger safety coordinator at UC Davis Health.
Those traveling with children who plan to use a rideshare or taxi service should follow these safety tips:
- When ordering a ride, include a message to the driver that you are traveling with a child in a car seat.
- Before the driver arrives, check the vehicle's model to make sure it will accommodate the type and number of car seats you have. This is especially important for rear-facing car seats, which may not fit into smaller vehicles. Consider paying the additional fare for a larger vehicle.
- Make sure you know how to install your car seat with both the LATCH system and the vehicle seatbelt. One may work better than the other to secure your car seat in the rideshare vehicle.
- Refresh your installation skills by watching a quick video on how to install your rear-facing seat, forward-facing seat, or booster seat
