Is tethering mandatory?

[HEVY]

If these questions have been answered in another thread, mods, feel free to delete or direct me. Thanks.

Do all car seats now have a top tether? When did it start?
Cars about 10 years and younger have tether hooks already installed, and with the option to get free ones installed is it mandatory to use them?
Mandatory by law?
Mandatory by manufacturer?

[chickabiddy]

In the US, tethering is not mandatory. In states with proper use clauses, it is mandatory to follow carseat and vehicle manufacturer's instructions -- some HWH seats require tethers after a certain weight, and (I think) some seats and some cars require that the tether be used when the lower anchors are used.

[Shaunam]

By law no, and it depends on the manufacturer. Few seats require it. The regent does after 50 lbs...that's all I can think of right now. I think the only way the law would require it is if the seat requires it and there's a "proper use" clause.

ETA: Proper use would probably also apply when using the LATCH system. So if you use the lower anchors, then proper use would require you to use the tether by law.

[HEVY]

So if I live in a proper use state (which I seem to) and the car seat says to use the tether I must use it. What if you don't have the hooks? What can the police/CPST do. Either by being pulled over or in an inpsection?

[Shaunam]

Honestly I doubt they would notice. Your average cop isn't going to notice details. They would just be happy you have the kid in a seat. If you went to get your seat checked at an event, they would let you know, but you aren't going to get in trouble for it.

But even if you did get a super-observant cop, he'd probably just give you a warning and explain how to go about getting a tether hook installed.

The worst you could get is a ticket and that's pretty cheap in most states.

[Maedze]

It is not the 'law' no.

If your seat requires that you use a tether after a certain weight (for example, the Regent after 50 or the Frontier after 65), and you did not, you could be putting your child's life at grave risk in an impact.

Regardless of whether it is the law, the top tether provides a crucial element of protection in an accident. It significantly reduces the risk of excurscion and thus of head trauma.

So even if the law doesn't say you must, prudence dictates that if you have a vehicle with no top tether anchor, that you have one put in if at all possible.

[chickabiddy]

It is not the 'law' no.

If your seat requires that you use a tether after a certain weight (for example, the Regent after 50 or the Frontier after 65), and you did not, you could be putting your child's life at grave risk in an impact.

Regardless of whether it is the law, the top tether provides a crucial element of protection in an accident. It significantly reduces the risk of excurscion and thus of head trauma.

So even if the law doesn't say you must, prudence dictates that if you have a vehicle with no top tether anchor, that you have one put in if at all possible.

Yes, if the seat requires a tether, getting a ticket would be the least of my concerns if I chose not to tether.

Personally, if I had a seat that required a tether, and I could not get a tether anchor installed or could not move the seat to a position with a tether, I wouldn't use the seat. I would be more comfortable with a 50# 5yo in a properly used highbacked booster than a misused (untethered) Regent, for instance.

I don't know what the police would do. As a CPST, I would tell you that you cannot use the seat safely in your vehicle and I would give you a booster, probably a backless (not my first choice, but what you'd get for a child your daughter's age and size at most carseat check events).

[Pixels]

Personally, if I had a seat that required a tether, and I could not get a tether anchor installed or could not move the seat to a position with a tether, I wouldn't use the seat. I would be more comfortable with a 50# 5yo in a properly used highbacked booster than a misused (untethered) Regent, for instance.

:yeahthat:

If you have a particular vehicle in mind, and you post the make, model, and year, we can tell you if it has hooks, where they are, and if not, give you information on retrofitting.

[HEVY]

I was just curious at the legal aspect, I know it's safer ;) I use the tether, but then again I have a Regent. I was just wondering if there was an actual law since all (?) car seats now have them. Most people don't use it, see no point in it, when I had my SHBB I didn't use it, I didn't have a tether hook and looked at is as a choice. I did however use it when we rented cars.

[UlrikeDG]

My understanding:
- FMVSS requires seats to meet minimum head excursion requirements without the tether.
- FMVSS also has a stricter limit that must be met. The tether can be used to meet this standard, but if the seat meets it without the tether, it's not necessary.
- While you should always use the tether if an anchor is available, it's rarely mandatory, even when lower anchors are used to install the seat. There are a few vehicles (all convertibles, I think) which have lower anchors, but not one of the top tether.