Final answer:
Children from birth to age 12 months must ride in a rear-facing car seat.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Virginia, children from birth to age 12 months must ride in a rear-facing car seat. This is because rear-facing car seats provide the best protection for young children in the event of a car accident.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.
Rear-facing car seats are designed to cradle and support a baby's head, neck, and spine, which are still developing and fragile during the first year of life. By riding rear-facing, the impact of a crash is distributed over the entire back of the car seat, reducing the risk of serious injury to the child.