A new law went into effect Thursday, Aug. 1 that will impact those who drive with young children in their vehicles.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is reminding people about this law change, which was approved during the spring legislative session. Kids two years old or younger must now have a rear-facing car seat. Children ages two and over who have outgrown the rear-facing seat must be forward-facing in a car seat with an internal harness. Children ages four and above that outgrown a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness are required to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat using a lap belt and shoulder belt. Childrens ages nine and above can ride with a standard shoulder and lap seat belt. 

In addition, children under the age of 13 must sit in the back seat if possible.

From 2019-23 in Minnesota, of the 12,827 crashes that involved children seven years old and younger that were properly restrained. In those crashes, 89 percent were uninjured, and an additional 10 percent sustained minor injuries. Of the 20 children ages seven or younger that were killed, only 10 were known to be properly restrained.