AUSTIN, TX - (September 1, 2009) -Texas' new booster seat law will help save the lives of children by ensuring that they are appropriately restrained in vehicles. It requires children under 8-years of age to be in a safety seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Texas is the 47th state, including the District of Columbia, to enact a booster seat law.
The law does not specify what type of car seat has to be used, but in general, most children outgrow car seats with a harness system at 40 lbs, usually around 4 years of age. Some car seats now have harnesses with higher weight limits. Once a child grows out of the car seat, a booster seat should be used. Booster seats work with the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt. There are two types of booster seats: high back (for use when the car does not have a headrest in the child's seating position) and no-back (for use when the car does have a headrest). Booster seats are widely available at area retailers and range in cost from $15 to $45.
The law takes effect today, September 1, 2009, but only warnings will be issued until June 1, 2010, in order to allow parents enough time to obtain the booster seats they need. After June 1, 2010, law enforcement officers can begin issuing $25 citations for the first offense; second offenses can cost up to $250.
Safe Kids Austin, led by Dell Children's Medical Center, is a city-wide grassroots coalition dedicated to preventing child injury. Safe Kids Austin provides frequent child safety seat inspection events and workshops in the community. At these events parents can work with Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians to ensure their child safety seats and booster seats fit properly and are installed correctly. These events are listed on the Dell Children's website.
For more information about the new booster seat law, families can call 512-324-TOTS (8687).
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the