New Texas Law Requires Kids up to Age 8 to Sit in Boosters
The Texas Legislature enacts new laws every year that usually go into effect on September 1 of that year. Beginning September 1, 2009, one of the new laws that will go into effect is the requirement that children up to age 8 (or children up to 4 foot 9 inches tall) must sit in a booster seat in a vehicle. Previously, children did not have to ride in a car seat or booster seat once they reached their 5th birthday or were at least 3 feet tall.
Traffic accident studies have shown that children 5-8 years old are not properly protected by a normal adult seat belt and are injured more often in auto accidents because of inadequate protection. According to National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts are not designed for children and children do not have the physical stature to be protected fully by a seat belt. Children who are moved to an adult seat belt system prematurely are at an increased risk of abdominal, spinal, facial and head injuries in the case of an accident. Many children are not being properly restrained in a car and surprisingly, a large number of children are not being restrained at all. This puts children at a heightened risk for serious injury or even death in the event of a car accident.
Additionally, Texas has a “proper use” clause meaning that car seats and booster seats must be used and installed properly. To find a car seat or booster seat inspection station near you, click here.
Booster seats are widely available at a number of retailers and can be purchased for as little as $15.00.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
I am glad for the added safety and enforcement, especially because I drive behind so many families who have little kids unrestrained. I got frustrated at first because now we have to go vehicle shopping. We transferred into a Camry from a Suburban to save on gas after my second turned 5. Now two of the three kids have to go back into boosters (6&7 years) which simply will not fit with my 3 year-olds carseat. I guess it’s back to a Suburban, though I don’t know how we are going to afford it.
I think this is great. I see so many children with out seat belts. The parents are finally going to have to be responsible and buckle up their little ones. Saving one life from is all worth it. What makes me upset is that you have to enforce a law for some parents to do it.