Kathy Kruger realizes some parents may be confused by changes coming next month in the state’s car and booster seat safety law.
The law requires children to ride in car or booster seats until they’re either 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
But they also must stay in the seats longer if their seat belts don’t fit them properly, said Kruger, executive director of the Safety Restraint Coalition based in Kirkland.
That’s how the Washington State Patrol will enforce new child safety restrictions, which take effect June 1.
But what does it mean for a seat belt to fit properly?
Under the law, children up to 16 could still be required to sit in a booster seat if they don’t meet that requirement.
Parents who are confused by the law can follow five steps to see when their child can move out of a booster seat, Kruger said.
The steps are:
If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” then the seat belt does not fit properly – and the child must sit in a car or booster seat, Kruger said.
The answer to those questions may vary depending on the age and model of car the child is riding in, as well as the child’s body shape, Kruger said.
The law states that police will determine if the car or booster seat is appropriate for the child’s height, weight and age.
Violators will be given a $112 ticket.
The change also requires that children under age 13 must sit in the back seat of the vehicle when it is practical to do so.
It’s usually safer for children to sit in the back seat of the cars so they’re protected from head-on collisions.
However, older cars often have only lap belts in the back seats. In those cases, it’s safer for children to ride in the front if the car is equipped with shoulder-and-lap safety belts.
The changes were approved by the Legislature in 2005.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
To see the actual language of the law or to learn more about car and booster seat safety, go to the Safety Restraint Coalition’s Web site at www.800bucklup.org.
Or call the coalition at 800-BUCK-L-UP.
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