Lawmakers make changes to booster seat laws
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Department of Public Safety wants to clear up any confusion about a new state law on booster seats.
The new law requires all children younger than 8 years-old, unless they are taller than 4'9", to be in child passenger safety systems. Those include both traditional car seats with harnesses and booster seats. The law further requires all safety and booster seats to be installed according to the manufacturer of the system. To help explain the new law, here is a list of things to consider.
If a child is eight years old or older, and not yet 4'9" tall, they are not legally required to be in a child safety seat system.
The law also requires that safety and booster seats be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions, including age, height and weight requirements and the placement in the vehicle. (Some manufacturers prohibit using their products in the front seats of vehicles.)
The law will take effect immediately when the governor signs it into law or allows it to pass unsigned. At such time, law enforcement officers may only enforce the new changes in the law with written or verbal warnings until June 1, 2010.
However, beginning on June 1, 2010, officers may then arrest or issue a citation/notice to appear to a person committing an offense. A fine of not more than $25 can be assessed for a first offense and no more than $250 for the second or subsequent offenses. This extra time between the effective date and the written offense date is to allow parents and caregivers ample time to become educated about, and obtain, the required safety seats or booster seats.
The department also gives the following tips to know if your child must be restrained after they turn 8-years-old.
Have your child sit on the vehicle seat, sitting all the way back, with their back straight against the back of the seat, and buckle the lap/shoulder belt over them.
Do their legs bend naturally at the knees over the edge of the seat?
Does the lap portion of the belt fit low over the hips and top of their thighs?
Does the shoulder portion of the belt fit across the center of their chest?
If the answer to any of these three questions is no, the child may be better protected in a booster seat. A child in a poorly-fitting adult seat belt usually slumps down, allowing the seat belt to ride up into their abdomen or neck, which can cause severe injuries to the child's neck and internal organs during a car crash.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth Warren, DPS Administrative Training Unit, Safety Programs at 512-424-5639
