According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 32,719 traffic fatalities in 2013 involved children under the age of 14. On average, three children a day tragically die in automobile accidents, and another 470 are injured. The best way parents can protect their children in the event of a crash is securing them properly within the vehicle. While most parents know they must place their young children in a car seat, many do not recognize that their older children may need to be in a booster seat up to the age of 12.
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Atlanta car accident attorneys cannot emphasize enough how booster seats truly save lives. In a mission to inform the public of the importance of booster seats, we launched several campaigns intending to provide parents with critical information concerning their safe use. We now offer the following look at booster seats for parents across the state.
When Should My Child Use a Booster Seat?
Your child should use a booster seat once he or she has graduated from a forward-facing car seat. Safety experts agree that young children should remain in their car seats for as long as safely possible. You should consult with your car seat’s manual to determine its maximum height and weight requirements. Generally, children can move to a booster seat when they are around the age of four and weigh 40 pounds or more.
Current Georgia law requires that all children under the age of eight be restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat. In fact, you can face fines if you do not secure your child under the age of eight with a car or booster seat. Many safety experts feel that children should be kept in a booster seat for longer than required by Georgia law. Children under 4’9″ need to use a booster seat because a seatbelt will not come across their bodies at the appropriate place. However, children might reach the appropriate height to do without the booster seat between the ages of eight and 12.
How Booster Seats Improve Safety
In young children, booster seats have been shown to reduce the risk of severe damage to the brain, liver, spinal cord, and spleen in the event of an accident. With a booster seat, young children are seated in a position so that their seatbelt is effective in an accident. Alternatively, young children are at serious risk without a booster seat. If you have questions about your child’s car or booster seat, speak to a child seat safety technician in your area.
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Source:
Montlick Child Passenger Safety
