What is the Texas law regarding child passenger safety?

In Texas, the law mandates that children under the age of 8 must be secured in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, depending on their size and weight. This requirement is in place to ensure that young passengers are protected in the event of a collision, as standard seat belts may not fit properly on younger children who are not yet large enough to use them safely. Booster seats help elevate children so that the seat belts fit correctly across their chest and lap, significantly improving their safety in a vehicle. The intention behind this law is to reduce the risk of injury or death to young children while they are traveling in a car.

While children under 12 must wear a seatbelt and seatbelts are required for all passengers, the specific provision for children under 8 in booster seats reflects additional safety considerations for this vulnerable age group.