A New York law on child safety was updated late last year. Children under the age of eight are now required to sit in an appropriate safety restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle. Previously, the law required safety seats until a child’s seventh birthday.
If drivers fail to comply with the law, they could face a 25 to 100 dollar fine and receive three penalty points on their driver’s license for each violation. Out-of-state drivers are also required to comply with the New York law and failure to comply will also result in fines.
Children Need a Boost
Seatbelts save lives, but seatbelts were designed for adults. Children need booster seats for seatbelts to fit them correctly. When seatbelts are worn appropriately, they help protect the wearer against internal injuries or from being thrown around inside the car or ejected from the car. According to the NY Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, a child that is properly buckled in the back seat has a 33 percent less chance of being killed in a car accident.
In order for a safety seat to protect a child:
- It must meet the size and weight requirements for the child based on the recommendation of the manufacturer
- It can be a child safety seat, a harness, a vest or a booster seat attached with the vehicle seat belt or latch system
- Booster seats must be used with both the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belts
- It should not be used in the front seat of the vehicle
It is the law that children remain in booster seats until they are eight years old. However, if your child is shorter than 4’9” and weighs less than 100 pounds, it is recommended that the child continue to use a safety seat.
If you have questions about this new law or how it may impact your case, if your child has been injured in an auto accident, please consult with a personal injury attorney in your area.
