A new law in California is bringing attention to a critical safety issue: are vehicles, failing short adults? Starting January 1, 2027, California will implement Assembly Bill 435, which updates child passenger safety standards. The new law uses a size-based “5-Step Fit Test” for all children and teens aged 8 to 16, rather than just age and height.
- 5-Step Test: Mandates that children, to be considered properly restrained by a seatbelt, must meet specific criteria: back against seat, knees bent at edge, lap belt low on hips/thighs, shoulder belt across chest/shoulder (not neck), and able to stay seated without slouching.
- Child Restraint Age: Raises the general requirement, meaning children under 10 must be in an appropriate car seat/booster, and under 16 must pass the 5-Step Test to ride in the front.
- Front Seat Restriction: Prohibits children 13-16 from riding in the front seat unless they meet the 5-Step Test criteria, effective 2027.
- Booster Seats: Children who can’t pass the 5-Step Test but are old enough to ride in the back (under 13) must use a booster seat
This law highlights a huge safety concern: cars aren’t designed for shorter people. Shockingly, smaller people are at a greater risk of death or injury compared to bigger, by design. Have you ever had a seatbelt go across your neck while sitting in a passenger seat, or high across your stomach? If so, you have SPP (Short People Problems).
When seatbelts don’t fit right, they can cause serious injuries like internal damage during a crash.
Signed into law by the Governor in late 2025, with provisions taking effect in 2027.
