LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) today introduced a bill that would help reduce the number of child injuries in car accidents by updating the requirements for child car seats and booster seats.
Senate Bill 89 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to modify the requirements for a child restraint system used when transporting a child in a car — and specifically factor in the weight of a child younger than age 8 — per recommendations made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Car seat safety standards change over time and our current law is outdated in that it recommends parents choose a seat based solely on a child’s age, when the science shows that the child’s weight is the most important factor to consider in that decision-making process,” Sen. Santana said. “We need to update the language in Michigan’s law so that parents can rest assured they are using the best recommendations available to keep their children safe, and my bill intends to do just that.”
Under Sen. Santana’s bill, the following changes would be made:
- Children under 2, or who weigh less than 30 pounds, must be in a rear-facing car seat;
- Children ages 2 to 5, or who weigh 30 pounds to 50 pounds, must be in a forward-facing car seat;
- Children who are at least 5 years of age but less than 8, or who weigh 50 pounds or more or are 57 inches tall or shorter, must use a booster seat; and,
- Children ages 8 to 16 must be restrained by a seat belt.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that 59 percent of children’s car seats are used incorrectly. They offer tips to help families find the right type of car seat for their child, since the seat choice made can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a car accident.
SB 89 has been referred to the Senate Families, Seniors, and Veterans Committee.
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