Child car seats play a critical role in preventing fatalities in the event of a car accident. Recognizing this important fact, a new law will go into effect in California, starting on January 1, 2012, which will make it mandatory for children under the age of 8 to sit in the back seat and be restrained in a car seat or booster seat. There are a few exceptions to the new law. For example, a child under 8 who is 4 feet 9 inches or taller may ride in the back seat without a child seat or booster as long as they use a lap/shoulder belt. Additionally children who are 8 years of age or older who have not reached the said height must continue to use a booster or child car seat.

Currently, the law requires only children under the age of 6 or those who weigh 60 pounds or under to use a booster seat or car seat. According to the director of The California Office of Traffic Safety, keeping children in booster seats increases their chance of surviving a crash by 45 percent.

Citations for Violations

For every child under the age of 16 who is not properly buckled up, the parents in the car or the driver could face a fine of over $475 in addition to receiving a violation point on their driving record. A repeat offense carries a minimum fine of $1,055.

When it is Safe to use an Adult Seat Belt?

There are a number of factors that determine if a child is ready for an adult seat belt. Children should be able to sit with their backs against the seat back with their knees bent. The lap belt should be able to cover the child's hips and upper thighs. The shoulder belt should cross the chest and not the face or neck. It is important to remember these guidelines because having an ill-fitting seatbelt can result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. For example, having a lap belt cross a child's stomach instead of the hip bones can result in severe internal injuries.

Keeping Children Safe in Cars

Parents of young children would be well advised to read more details about the type of child seat they should use. This information is available on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site. As they grow, children advance from rear-facing seats, to forward-facing seats, to booster seats. Having the right child seat is crucial when it comes to preventing serious injuries in the event of a car crash. As a California personal injury lawyer who represents seriously injured car accident victims, I welcome this new law and I think it will go a long way in safeguarding our children.