Children up to age 6 must ride in what type of restraint?

Children up to age 6 are required to ride in a federally approved child safety seat because these seats are specifically designed to provide the best protection for young children in the event of a crash. They are engineered to support a child's size and weight, ensuring that the child is properly restrained and protected.

Child safety seats are equipped with harnesses that secure the child and distribute crash forces across the strongest parts of their body, minimizing the risk of severe injury. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides guidelines that highlight the importance of using these seats until children outgrow the height or weight limit recommended by the manufacturer.

While booster seats and safety belts are components of child restraint systems, they are typically recommended for older children who have outgrown a child safety seat but are not yet tall enough for a seat belt to fit properly alone. An adult seat is not suitable for children up to age 6, as they do not provide adequate protection. Using a federally approved child safety seat is essential for ensuring the safest travel for young children.