Car seats are designed to provide comfort, proper posture, and safety while driving. Adjusting your car seat correctly is one of the first steps to safe driving because it affects your visibility, control, and protection in the event of a crash.
Types of Car Seats & Adjustments:
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Driver’s Seat Adjustment:
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Move the seat forward or backward so you can fully press the pedals while keeping a slight bend in your knees.
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Adjust the height so you can see clearly over the dashboard and steering wheel.
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Recline the backrest slightly but remain upright for comfort and alertness.
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Headrest Positioning:
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The top of the headrest should be level with the top of your head.
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The headrest should be close to the back of your head, not too far away, to prevent whiplash in a collision.
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Passenger Seats:
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Passengers should also sit upright with properly adjusted headrests.
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Encourage all passengers to wear seatbelts at all times.
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Child Safety Seats (Important for Families):
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Infants (rear-facing car seats): Required until at least age 2 or until they reach the manufacturer’s height/weight limits.
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Toddlers (forward-facing car seats): Used after outgrowing the rear-facing seat, typically ages 2–4.
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Young Children (booster seats): Until the child is tall enough (usually 8–12 years old, or 4’9”).
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Teens & Adults: Regular seatbelts once the booster is no longer needed.
Utah Law Reminder:
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Children under age 8 must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster unless they are at least 57 inches tall.
Key Habit:
Adjust your car seat before starting the engine so you can drive comfortably, safely, and with full visibility