Question Extra plastic buckle- mandatory?

[Unregistered]

Hello!
I got sided by a cop in California. My 3 years old daugther was properly seated in a car seat and was buckled up with the main metal buckle. However in her evenflo car seat there is a additional plastic buckle at the top that we dont use as it seems redundant for short tripswithin the city. The cop gave us a ticket for not properly buckling her up. The thing is, many car seats I have seen dont even have this extra plastic buckle.
Do I have a case?
Thx a lot

 

[Athena]

What seat exactly? Are you referring to the chest clip? If so, yes, it is mandatory. Have you gone to a seat check lately? I learned a lot that way and with such high misuse rates for car seats and the importance of using them properly, it felt really good to drive away knowing my baby/kids were safer.

 

[safeinthecar]

The plastic clip isn't a redundant fastener actually. Some car seats need the chest clip in order to get the harness spaced properly across the chest and shoulders (which is why it is also important to have it at armpit level too) so that the child doesn't roll out from between the straps.

You can call Evenflo and ask if the chest clip is optional on your particular seat (almost always is if it is included) and if it isn't, you could provide documentation that it isn't required on her seat when you go to court.

If you find put the chest clip really isn't optional, you can ask if your county has a court diversion program where you can get the fine reduced and the point removed in exchange for attending a class on car seat safety.

 

[jess71903]

Most European seats do not have chest clips, but they also have grippy pads on the harness. American and Canadian seats all do have chest clips, and they are a required part of the buckling up properly.

 

[Kat_Momof3]

First, consider the ticket a wake up call. He was right.

Make sure it is installed properly and that the harness is adjusted so that it comes from at or above your child's shoulders.

The chest clip is not an "extra" buckle. It needs to be buckled at your child's armpit level each and every ride. You also need to make sure your child's harness is snug enough that you can not pinch any slack in it.

 

[LISmama810]

California law requires children to be "properly" buckled. If the instructions for you car seat include using the chest clip, then the child was not properly secured.

Now, when I first read your original post, I thought you were referring to the top tether on the car seat. Then when others started talking about the cheat clip, I realized that made more sense. But please do clarify if that's not what you meant.

 

[Unregistered]

All, thx for your replies
Yes , i guess i meant the chest clip. So here is my question: i have another seat that doesnt have this chest clip at all. It is not part of the seat. Does that mean that if i get sided again i can get another ticket??
Thx

 

[Brianna]

Did you purchase the seat new or used? If it was new it should have come with a chest clip, unless it is an overhead shield seat. If it was used it's likely the previous owner removed the chest clip. Also check that it isn't expired.

Sent from my DROID4 using Car-Seat.Org

 

[ketchupqueen]

Did you purchase the seat new or used? If it was new it should have come with a chest clip, unless it is an overhead shield seat. If it was used it's likely the previous owner removed the chest clip. Also check that it isn't expired.

Sent from my DROID4 using Car-Seat.Org

Good points! Most overhead shield seats did have chest clips though (at least the ones I've seen.)

 

[henrietta]

All, thx for your replies
Yes , i guess i meant the chest clip. So here is my question: i have another seat that doesnt have this chest clip at all. It is not part of the seat. Does that mean that if i get sided again i can get another ticket??
Thx

Look that seat over carefully. Look for any names, model numbers, stickers, etc. It's likely to have a brand name, such as Graco, Evenflo, Cosco, Safety First, or Eddie Bauer, on it somewhere. Come back and tell us what you've found. Then we can help you ID your seat and find the instructions. If you don't know the history of that seat (ie it came from a garage sale or something), please don't use it again for anyone. Throw it away after cutting the straps.

My nephew had a Cosco Alpha Omega seat with an overhead shield a few years back. It's expired now. I'm trying to remember if it had a chest clip or not...

 

[Kat_Momof3]

also, while inspecting your carseats, look at what date they were manufactured... carseats (like milk) expire and one of the reasons is parts go rogue and we can't find them... once we know what the brand is and the DOM (date of manufacture) we can tell you if they are still safe to use and if they would have a chest clip)