General Traffic Safety Related FAQs

Question: What is the law regarding the age and or weight a child should be before they can ride in the front seat?

Answer: Michigan law requires:

• Children under age 8 must ride in a properly installed car seat or booster seat, unless 4'9" tall.

• Passengers age 8-15 must be buckled up at all times, in all seating positions.

Question: I have a 5-month-old that weighs 20 pounds, and has outgrown his infant car seat. Can he be placed in a convertible car seat facing forward?

Answer: It is VERY important that an infant stay rear-facing until at least age one and 20 pounds. The vertebrae in a child's neck are not completely developed until age one. Infants have large, heavy heads on a "weak" stem (neck). That is why infants face the rear of the vehicle - so that their entire body will take the force in a crash. If you turn them around to face forward too soon, their large heavy heads are thrown forward which presents a very high risk of a brain injury, broken neck, spinal cord damage, etc. Your infant should remain rear-facing in a convertible seat until at least age one. You should look for a convertible model that goes rear-facing to at least 30 pounds. Be sure to check the manufacturer's directions on the seat.

Question: Where can I find a list of technicians that can make sure my child safety seat is properly installed?

Answer: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains the list of all certified child passenger safety technicians.

Question: How can I find a list of recalls for my car or child safety seat?

Answer: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains the list of all recalls. You can also register your child safety seat, so the manufacturer can automatically contact you if there is a recall for your child's seat. If your car is registered with the Michigan Secretary of State, and a part on your car is recalled, the car manufacturer will contact you through the Michigan Secretary of State's list of registered vehicles.

Question: I want to find the crash test rating of my car (or a car I would like to purchase). Where is the list?

Answer: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains the list of crash test results as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Question: Where can I report a safety-related defect in my car?

Answer: Call the United States Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline at (888) DASH-2-DOT or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site.

Question: My child is about to enter driver's training and I would like to find out more about the graduated driver licensing system in Michigan. Where can I get information?

Answer: Visit the Michigan Department of State.

Question: Where is the list of motorcycle helmet laws and approved helmets for Michigan riders?

Answer: The Michigan Department of State Police has been given the legislative responsibility to approve crash helmets and to promulgate rules to implement this law.

Question: Where can I find traffic safety public information materials (posters, brochures, flyers, etc.)?

Answer: The Michigan State Police, Management Services Division,
Highway Safety Resource Materials Unit houses and distributes all OHSP traffic safety materials.

Click here for more OHSP traffic safety information.