 |
 |
Booster car seats now required for young children
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 12:49 AM EDT
 |
| Sabrina Jarrells of Flemingsburg helps her daughter, Mandolina Jarrells, into her booster seat Monday. A new law takes effect today in Kentucky requiring booster seats for children. -- Terry Prather/Staff |
Gov. Steve Beshear has signed into law the new legislation that will require parents to "take new measures to protect their children in the car."
According to information from Kentucky State Police, " if your child is under 7 years of age and is between 40 and 50 inches tall, he or she will have to ride in a booster seat" per the new requirements of KRS 189.125 which outline the requirements for child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts.
According to Capt. Tim Lucas, Commander of the KSP Highway Safety Branch "the new law will be phased in over the next year."
"On July 15, law enforcement will begin issuing courtesy warnings to those who do not have their children in booster seats." Lucas said. "Courtesy warning will be issued through June 30, 2009. After that date, violators will be required to pay a fine of $30."
Lucas further stated that "any person who has not been previously charged with a booster seat violation can have the charge dismissed with proof that they have acquired a booster seat for the child."
"More children die from motor vehicle crashes than from any single disease. More children in the US are killed or crippled in car crashes than from any other cause of injury." Lucas said. "Our goal is to save lives and this law will better protect the children of the commonwealth."
Police will be able to determine whether vehicles have the seats installed simply by looking through vehicle windows, and "judging if your child is sitting high enough to see outside."
Sharon Rengers, a nurse at Kosair Children's Hospital and Certified Passenger Safety instructor who trains hundreds of KSP troopers and local law enforcement across the state in proper child seat installation and placement, has been a vocal advocate for improved child car seat legislation.
"The booster seat bill is a step in the right direction in making sure that children of all ages are protected while riding in vehicles." Rengers said. "We are happy that this legislation adds protective measures for older children not previously included in the child passenger safety laws."
The booster seat bill was sponsored by Senators Tom Buford, Walter Blevins Jr., Jerry Rhoads and Dorsey Ridley in addition to the strong support from KSP throughout the legislative process.
Opinions among local law enforcement authorities on the legislation are varied.
According to Mason County Sheriff Patrick Boggs, the MCSO will enforce the law and issue the warnings to "make people aware" of the new statute.
"It's a good thing." Boggs said. "Several children may be of a certain age but are of smaller build so they need to be in a booster seat. This should make it safer for them."
Lewis County Sheriff Bill Lewis had a differing opinion because "we already have too many meaningless traffic statutes on the books. It will not be a priority for us to enforce this nonsense." Lewis said. "It is a waste of law enforcement resources."
Lewis agreed with "wanting to take care of the kids and make them safer." Lewis said the LCSO is doing that by "going after the drug traffickers, burglary suspect, and solving the other crimes in Lewis County."
Major Ron Rice of the Maysville Police Department agreed with both Lewis and Boggs that "safety is a good thing." Rice indicated that the MPD hadn't receive the specifics to date on the new law.
"It will be approximately 30 days before we get it from the Department of Criminal Justice." Rice said. "We will then take on the task to enforce it."
Local stores including Kmart and Wal-Mart report no increased purchases of booster sheets. Representatives "were unaware" of the new law going into effect and think that the public "probably doesn't know about it either."
Rengers offers these tips for parents:
- Your child should use a car seat with harnesses for as long as possible, until at least age 4 following the weight/height limits of your seat.
- Use the back seat for children under age of 13. A child in a booster must have a lap/shoulder belt. Never use just a lap belt.
- If your car has no shoulder belts in the back seat, a different safety device can be used.
- Booster seats with shields are never recommended. Remove the shield and follow the manufacturer's directions.
- Always use your seat belt. Your child learns from what you do.
Booster seats as well as car seats can be installed free of charge at the Maysville Fire Department. Contact the fire department for more information on child seat installation. For more information on vehicle passenger safety or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call 800-852-1770.
Contact Todd Curtis at todd.curtis@lee.net or by calling 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
Copyright © 2008 Maysville Newspapers, Inc., A Lee Enterprises Publication This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent. Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy. Click here to view current print advertisements. |