Lt. Governor Brown Calls on Parents to Learn About Newly Strengthened Child Safety Seat Law
Bethesda (June 26, 2008) – Lt. Governor Anthony Brown joined with Delegate Bill Bronrott and Jack Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgerald Auto Mall, to educate the public about the stronger child safety seat law that goes into effect on Monday, June 30.
Booster seats provide a platform that lifts the child up off the vehicle seat in order to improve the fit of the adult seat belt. An improper fit of an adult belt can cause the lap belt to ride up over the stomach and the shoulder belt to cut across the neck, potentially exposing the child to serious abdominal and/or neck injury.
Maryland becomes the 19th state to pass a stronger law requiring child passengers from age 4 until they turn age 8 (or exceed either 65 pounds or 4-feet 9-inches) to use a safety seat. The old law required children only up to age 6 to use a safety seat.
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death and injury of children age 3 and older. In 2006, 444 children ages 4 through 7 died and nearly 50,000 children were injured in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. In 2006, nearly half of the kids killed in crashes were not properly restrained.
Child booster seats can substantially reduce the risk of death and injury to children, but only 1 in 5 children ages 4 to 8 in the U.S. use them. Children in this age group are at increased risk of injury or death due to inappropriate restraint in adult seat belts or lack of any restraint at all.
