Another senseless death  Re: CPS
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive January-June 2003:
Another senseless death Re: CPS
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Local/areaN1031703.htm
Fatal seat-belt accident highlights need for regulation
By ANDREW LYONS
Staff Writer
Last updated: Mar 16, 11:46 PM
DAYTONA BEACH --They've outgrown their car safety seats but the danger remains.
Traffic safety experts call them "the forgotten children," youngsters between 4 and 8. They are still too small for adult seat belts and could suffer serious or even fatal injuries if they are buckled without a booster seat.
A 4-year-old girl died Saturday night after being entangled in the back-seat belt of her family's minivan. Thomas Moseley, 39, of Satellite Beach, was traveling north on Interstate 95 in Edgewater when he noticed his daughter Emily wasn't breathing. Moseley and a passing motorist managed to cut the child free, but it was too late.
A booster seat was in the minivan, a Volusia County Sheriff's Office spokesman said Sunday. However, Emily was not seated in it. Sheriff's investigators are investigating the death, which they said appears to be accidental.
Florida law doesn't require a 4-year-old to ride in a booster seat, but child safety advocates point to the girl's death as another example why stricter laws are needed.
"The way the seat fits them, what ends up happening is the shoulder strap comes up against their neck and chokes them," said Diane Kifner, one of two child passenger safety instructors with the Volusia/Flagler Safe Kids Coalition. "Had she been in a booster seat, she would have been in a right fit for that seatbelt."
Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have booster seat provisions in their child restraint laws. Florida almost enacted a similar law in 2001, but Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the legislation, saying that a state should not substitute its judgment for that of parents. He also said lower income parents who could not afford the seats, which cost $20 to $80, would be unfairly punished.
Local child advocate Linda Merrell said Sunday the governor was wrong.
"It is so important to know that those children are so very vulnerable," said Merrell, a consultant and lobbyist for children and family issues who lives in Ormond Beach. "Why there is a problem and a question -- when it has been proven through research to improve the safety of these children -- is mind boggling to me."
A majority of parents nationwide overlook the need for booster seats, advocates report.
Six out of 10 children are either not wearing belt-positioning booster seats, or wearing them incorrectly, according to a study conducted last year by the Washington D.C-based National SAFE KIDS Campaign. As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children younger than 12 ride in the back seat and that they are properly buckled into an age-appropriate restraint system. The agency, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that booster seats be used for children 4 to 8 years old or up to 80 pounds.
Kifner said parents of children who dislike sitting in a booster seat tuck the upper safety belt behind the child's back or under their arm.
"But that makes them incredibly vulnerable," Kifner said. "When they're stopped, there is no upper body protection."
Trina, are you trying to get my blood boiling? *smile*
It is just so agrivating. And as for "the poor" I personally know of several organizations that give away free car seats and boosters. And then ofcourse there are the several promotions for free seats given for different reasons from various sponsors.
However, as I have said before, sometimes you just can't convince a parent that they are making poor choices for their child.
Trina - I just wanted to thank you once again for making us all aware of these dangers. I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into this. I did purchase the new booster seat for Kiara as you & I had discussed and she loves it. I also notice how much better the seat belt fits her now, then it did with just the lap belt on the sheild booster. Thanks again!!! 
Trina,
As a Floridian, this is just one more reason I voted against Jeb Bush. Dana is correct, there are places that give away car seats, and about a million consignment shops that sell them cheap. But it is not uncommon in South Florida to see too many kids piled into a small car, none in seat belts, let alone car seats. I know it is not just a Florida problem, but because of the high volume of poor immigrants, who usually have large families, and one car if any, they completely disregard car seat safety. It makes me sick. They should take some of the proceeds from the billion amusement parks in Florida, and put it towards car seats for low income families! BTW, I wanted you to know that Amy bought new car seats for both her boys, to replace that Cosco booster her 4 y/o was in, and her 1 y/o's sheild convertable that did not have the 5 pt harness. She would not have known the old seats were dangerous without your efforts to inform us all. We appreciate your hard work.
I don't have much time to post but wanted to thank you girls for making my day. Glad to know my car seat nerdiness is helping to keep little ones safe.
I also don't agree with the "people are too poor" excuse. There are agencies who provide free or reduced seats. Also, all they have to do is ASK, and CPS advocates will help them out the best they can. I picked up a new backless booster (Uno Polo) to use as a spare for $12! TWELVE dollars! A very small price to pay for the safety of a child.
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