Final answer:
Children under age two who weigh less than 30 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat. This adheres to safety guidelines based on the rapid physical development of children in this age group, ensuring maximum protection while traveling in a vehicle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children under age two who weigh less than 30 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat. This is based on health and safety guidelines to protect young children while traveling in a vehicle. According to physical development data, on average, newborns weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and will potentially reach up to 28 pounds by one year if properly nursed. Therefore, it is crucial for children ages 0 to 2.5, especially those weighing less than 30 pounds, to ride in a car seat that supports their size and weight for maximum safety.
It is important to adhere to these safety standards because a child's body is rapidly developing during infancy and toddlerhood. By the age of 2, a child's weight would have quadrupled from birth, reaching around 20 to 40 pounds. Therefore, until they reach the appropriate age and weight, they must be secured in a car seat appropriate for their growth stage.