How to travel with baby in a taxi with no car seat - is it legal?

Question

If you have to take public transportation (e.g. taxi) and need to take your baby, what do you do about the fact that there is no car seat in the taxi? Is it illegal to travel with the baby in the backseat of a taxi with no car seat?

Answer 1

Whether it is legal or not, do you really want to take a chance of killing your baby if you get in a car accident? A cabby is not always the safest drivers. Bring one if you have to go somewhere, or call all the cab company’s around you to see who has car seats. We where in Florida a few years ago and they had them to offer people who needed them. If you don’t have a car seat, borrow one. DO NOT EVER GET IN A CAR WITH A BABY AND NO CAR SEAT! Please!!

And the answer to your question is YES, it is illegal to have a baby in any car without a car seat.



Sorry I don’t mean to be harsh. It is just a very serious question, that has a very serious answer.























Mugsie*Likes*Coffee!

Answer 2

This is a child you are talking about. Buy a car seat or a stroller carseat combined so you can push the baby around while it’s still in the carseat. If you dont love the child, then by all means, ride around all day with the child unsecured in a child safety seat.



I am most certain that no matter what the transportation..especially a taxi which is a car...you must have children in a proper safety seat.



I can not imagine a parent who loves their child even considering not using common sense and ensuring their child’s safety.





I skimmed through various state's sites about child safety seats and restraints, and for the most part taxis and public transportation is exempt from the law. As I said previously, why chance it? The baby cant protect itself so the parent has to do it.



(From NY website on child safety seats)

Does the law apply to taxis and buses?

No. Liveries, taxis, and public transportation buses are exempt from the occupant restraint law. However, children under the age of four must be restrained in a federally approved car seat while riding on a school bus [Section 1229-c(11), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law].

Answer 3

I too find this rule bizarre, for example, what if a person lived across the road from the hospital? But it makes sense this way: Afteryou've had a baby you won't feel like walking too far or carrying your baby too far because birth cn leave you feeling tired and your muscles need to rest to recover from the changes they undergo during birth (thats why you should rest and not strain yourself for a whileafter borth in case you pull or damage muscles). So its sensible to have the baby in a secure carrier, and car is the quickest way to get home. I know rules can really grate and get on your nerves especially when youre pregnant, but remember as soon as you get your baby home youre back in yourown hoe and can start living by your rules. Hospitals are a lot to put up with if youre a strong minded person who has their own way of looking at things (like I was and still am) and some rules can make you feel annoyed but soon you'll be home with your baby in your arms so just smile and brush off all the annoyances because it will all be over soon and you'll be homewith your new baby:-)

Answer 4

If you tell the dispatcher when you call for a taxi, they'll make sure there is a carseat for your baby. I have done this in the past when my kids were small. Your other option is to take your own carseat with you when you travel. It may be bulky, but it could end up saving your child's life.



It is illegal for baby's to travel without a carseat, even in a taxi. Even if it weren't, think about your child's safety. How important is it to you to keep your child safe?



My opinion is my kids were and are still worth any "inconvenience" there may be in keeping them safe.

Answer 5

Personally I would not feel safe traveling anywhere in a taxi with a child NOT in a car seat, its just common since and an accident can happen anytime, then what??

Answer 6

Here are examples of various states law:



New York City



In the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission , it states



Drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles and their passengers, are exempt from laws regarding car seats and seatbelts. Keep in mind, the TLC encourages everyone in the vehicle to buckle their seatbelts while riding in a cab. There are no Taxi and Limousine Commission rules regarding this, as it is a State exemption. Passengers with children are encouraged to bring their own car seats, which the drivers must allow passengers to install.

*NOTE - Children under the age of seven are permitted to sit on an adult’s lap.



http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/faq_pass.shtml



Washington State



Far West Cab [phone] *

Orange Cab [phone] *

These are cab companies that seem to be able to provide car seat if required. But beware of expired car seat.



Hard to find out if it is legal or illegal from the government websites.





State of Nevada



The Nevada child car seat law NRS 484.474 Effective on June 1, 2004. Has the following summarized provisions: (Read about the complete law here.)



NRS 484.474

Child less than 6 years of age and weighing 60 pounds or less to be secured in child restraint system while being transported in motor vehicle; requirements for system; penalties; exceptions. [Effective June 1, 2004.]



1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, any person who is transporting a child who is less than 6 years of age and who weighs 60 pounds or less in a motor vehicle operated in this state which is equipped to carry passengers shall secure the child in a child restraint system which:



(a) Has been approved by the United States Department of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 571;



(b) Is appropriate for the size and weight of the child; and



(c) Is installed within and attached safely and securely to the motor vehicle:



The provisions of subsections above do not apply:



(a) To a driver or passenger who possesses a written statement by a physician certifying that he is unable to wear a safety belt for medical or physical reasons;

(b) If the vehicle is not required by federal law to be equipped with safety belts;

(c) To an employee of the United States Postal Service while delivering mail in the rural areas of this state;

(d) If the vehicle is stopping frequently, the speed of that vehicle does not exceed 15 miles per hour between stops and the driver or passenger is frequently leaving the vehicle or delivering property from the vehicle; or

(e) To a passenger riding in a means of public transportation, including a taxi, school bus or emergency vehicle.







Travel Vest for kids

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Answer 7

Various rules apply in different states (there are usually special rules that apply to taxicabs). In Nevada for the Las Vegas area, you could check with the Nevada Taxicab Authority, but you could check with other law enforcement agencies or DMV's in different states.



The taxi drivers themselves should know, but they're not always the best when it comes to knowing and adhering to the rules.