Louisiana State Police Debunks Fake Booster Seat Law Circulating Online

With the rise of AI-generated graphics and viral pranks, fake news travels fast, and sometimes it looks surprisingly convincing.

I scrolled past this graphic a few times on my feeds, initially assuming everyone caught on to the joke. It wasn't until I saw someone in the comments who was genuinely concerned and frantically asking if it was real that I realized just how easily these viral flyers can fool people.

The flyer, styled to look like an official announcement complete with the Louisiana State Police logo, the Department of Public Safety header, the state flag, and their official motto, claims that starting September 1, 2026, any driver under 5’2” is legally required to use a booster seat behind the wheel.

While short drivers everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief, Louisiana State Police officially stepped in on social media to clear up the confusion and set the record straight:

"FALSE INFORMATION — BUT A GOOD REMINDER ABOUT VEHICLE SAFETY

We’re aware of the graphic circulating on social media claiming that a new Louisiana law has gone into effect. This graphic is FALSE and was NOT produced by Louisiana State Police. There is NO such Louisiana law.

But since we have your attention…

Free Child Safety Seat Inspections are available at LSP Troops and fitting stations across the state to help parents and caregivers ensure car seats and booster seats for children are properly installed and used correctly.

Additionally, CarFit is a free educational program that helps older drivers ensure their vehicle is properly adjusted for the safest and most comfortable fit, including proper positioning and visibility.

So no… drivers of a vehicle do not need a booster seat, but making sure everyone in your vehicle has the right fit and is properly secured is always a safe idea."

While the viral post turned out to be nothing more than a funny internet prank, State Police managed to flip the script and turn a fake news moment into a great reminder about actual vehicle safety resources available across Louisiana.

So, consider this your official green light to hit the road without a booster seat, no matter what your driver's license says about your height!"