California Car Seat Law
California Car Seat Law Changes Will Irk Many Parents and Children Alike
The California Car Seat Law was changed by Governor Jerry Brown on October 4th, 2011. This change is sure to raise the ire of many parents and kids alike because it requires children to ride in a booster seat until the age of 8-years-old. This is two years longer than the current law reads. It also specifies that children 7-years-old and under, taller than 4’ 9”, and that are more than 70lbs in weight are eligible for special exceptions.
California Car Seat Law – Increasing Safety
This new change in the California car seat law will go into effect January 1st, 2012. This has ruffled a lot of feathers since it was co-sponsored by the California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health, Safe Kids California and others. This bill reflects a recommendation, by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which suggested the current exact age and height restrictions be amended for this new California car seat law.
The theory is that regular seats belts do not properly protect children of those ages and heights because they are designed for adults. Automotive seat belts tend to have the lower part of the belt strap across the child’s stomach and the upper part across the neck. This leads to the belief that children can be injured unnecessarily by improperly positioned seat belts. In a proper booster seat the lower part of the belt will now cross where the thighs meet the body and the upper part of the belt will cross the chest and shoulders where the belt is most effective. The AAA Foundation discovered that if amended California car seat law booster seats were used and, of course, properly strapped in, the risk of any injury dropped by more than 50%.
So why are parents upset by a ruling that can increase their child’s safety? Many believe this change in the California car seat law is simply the result of car seat manufacturers lobbying in order to create more profits. Obviously, there will be a slightly different model of booster seats made to handle the 6-8 year old group, which, no doubt will lead to a large amount of sales at increased prices. Many think it is yet another example of private companies seeking to increase profits by lobbying to Government entities.
California Car Seat Law – Enforcement Procedures
Other parents see it as over kill and further proof that government officials are sticking their noses too far into parenting. They mock the enforcement of this new California car seat law by wondering if they will have to carry their child’s birth certificate with them to verify to officers that the child is of age. Enforcement by police will definitely be tricky. Likely, if in doubt, the police officer will issue a citation and have the parent go to court to prove the age of the child. This angers parents because they have to take time off from work to deal with what they see as a frivolous law in the first place.
California Car Seat Law Will Require Adjustments
Whether it is agreed with or not, the fact remains that this new California car seat law will go into effect with the upcoming new year. Parents will have to adjust and deal with unhappy seven and eight year old children, all in the name of safety and a new nanny law enforced by the California car seat law of 2012.
Here are some other helpful car seat links to learn more. Thanks for visiting!
UC Davis Trauma Prevention and Outreach - Child Passenger Safety
Booster seat laws in california? - Yahoo! Answers
Booster Seat Laws
Baby Got Back Seats! - MSN Autos
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act - Wikipedia the free ...
Baby Car Safety Seats Essential By Law Best Buys! Hot Auctions!