NY residents
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive October 2004:
NY residents
STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR
Press Office
518-474-8418
212-681-4640
http://www.state.ny.us
FOR RELEASE:IMMEDIATE, Friday October 1, 2004
GOVERNOR PATAKI SIGNS BOOSTER SEAT LEGISLATION
New Law Will Increase Child Safety in Automobiles
Governor George E. Pataki today announced that he has signed
legislation requiring the use of booster seats or other appropriate
child restraint devices by children in the backseat of all motor
vehicles. As a result of the new law, New York will join 22 other
states that now have booster seat requirements for children.
"This new common sense child safety measure will ensure that our
children are fully protected while traveling in the backseat of motor
vehicles," Governor Pataki said. "We know from recent studies that
regular passenger seats are not designed to adequately safeguard
smaller children, particularly those between the ages of 4 and 7.
Booster seats have proven to be the safest and most reliable method
to protect our children because they help make the transition from
child safety restraints to adult seat belts."
New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos
said, "Booster seat use dramatically increases the safety of young
children. Like child safety seats, booster seat use is a proven way
to save children and prevent serious injuries. By requiring the use
of these life-saving devices, New York State will increase public
awareness and ensure that our children receive the protection they
need."
Assemblyman Jack McEneny, the sponsor of the bill in the Assembly,
said "There is absolutely no question that this bill is a proven
lifesaver. I look forward to the day when every state commits
itself, as New York has, to protecting our children. A national
standard will ensure the welfare and safety of all children."
The new law requires all children between the ages of four and seven,
measuring four feet nine inches or less, to be restrained in booster
seats or other appropriate child safety devices that meet applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The booster seats must be
used along with a combination lap and shoulder safety belt.
Individuals found to be in violation of this new law will be subject
to a civil fine ranging between $25 and $100.
Booster seats elevate child passengers so that lap and shoulder belts
fit properly and can properly restrain a child in the event of a
crash. Recent data indicates that child safety seats save nearly
three-quarters of all children who are involved in otherwise fatal
crashes, which has resulted in a drastically reduced number of crash-
related deaths of infants and toddlers. This data similarly suggests
that booster seats would provide the same benefit to children in this
older age group.
According to a study conducted by the Partners for Child Passenger
Safety booster seats provide a 59 percent reduction in injury risk
when compared to children up to age seven who are restrained only by
seat belts. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for
children ages of four to seven.
According to data collected by the National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 3,300 children ages four to
seven died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States between 1994
and 2002; 79 of those deaths occurred in New York State. More than 95
percent of these children were either unrestrained or restrained
solely by an adult seat belt. NHTSA's study shows that only about six
percent of children in this age range are being placed in booster
seats.
Trina,
It just occured to me.................
You are a car seat safety freak !! LOL !
I stated that in a GOOD way !
I am glad that you keep us informed because I wouldn`t know these things otherwise.
Thankyou Trina .
LOL, Sue! You're welcome! I'm actually a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician/Car Seat Safety Freak. 
Learn more about CPS Techs here:
SafeKids.org
It's about time!!!!
Now, when people look at me funny because my VERY TALL first grader is still using a booster seat, I can tell them that it is the law!!! Every friend of hers that rides in my SUV is required to ride in a booster too!! Many mothers have told me that their child "doesn't need to" and I always say that if they ride in my car they do!! I actually went out and bought an extra because no friends had one to put in my car when their child was with me. Mothers just shake their heads at me!! Now I can do it back to them and have the law back me up!!!
We were in a car accident last summer and hit a car (we were going 55 mph!!) when he pulled out in front of us. Thank God I listened to my Mommy instincts and not all of my friends and still had DD in a booster. It saved her from what could have been some serious injuries.
I only wish NY would enforce this law. They definitely don't in my area!! 
Trina, wasn't there a website that you had posted once before with the different laws for different states. My nephew is five and lives in PA. His parents have not used a car seat or booster with him for over a year. I'm just curious if I take him somewhere what the law is. BTW...they live in PA but I live in MD so I'm not sure if the laws are different or not.
Livvy, KUDOS to you for keeping your DD in a booster!  BTW, nice to see you posting. What have you been up to?!
Kittycat, unfortunately many state child restraint laws do not coincide with current child passenger safety recommendations. Regardless of the difference in laws between PA and MD, your nephew is safest in a booster until at least 4'9" and 80-100 lbs., and passes the 5 Step Test
That said, state child restraint laws can be seen here. As you can see, they vary A LOT! Legally and safety wise, your nephew should be in a booster.
Child Restraint Laws
Trina, can I send you to my FILs house who has had his DD out of any type of restraint system since she was 4 and about 40 pounds!!! Yikes! He seems to have that "It won't happen to me" attitude. Shes even allowed in the front seat! She 6 now and about 49-50 pounds at the most. Maybe I should buy them one for Christmas?
I think your child safety advice has been very beneficial to this site. You've answered many questions and helped out a lot of families, just here alone. I an imagine what you accomplish when your out volunteering. So, KUDOS to you for always keeping us informed, after all, if it werent for you I would have never known how great Britax carseats are for my DD! Well along with other seats too but Britax has the "cool" car seat covers, LOL!
Trina,
I've been up to nothing and everything at the same time! Subbing in DD's school and when I'm not subbing, I am volunteering there. It's amazing how busy they keep me! I love it though!! I'm not sure I will ever go back to teaching full time but I do love being in the school setting!
I want to second what Melissa (boxzgrl) said about your advice being helpful to this site!! I don't get the chance to log on much anymore but when I do I always check out the carseat posts!! You are so well informed and sharing what you know is so helpful to everyone here!! Thanks!!!
THANKS Boxzgrl and Livvy! You've made my day!
Boxzgrl, Yikes! I hope your FIL doesn't learn the hard way the err of his ways. Would his DD be happy about getting a booster for Christmas?? Unfortunately, his attitude may have rubbed off on her. Perhaps some CPS education is the answer. LOL! Oh, here is a news story posted on the CPS listserve today...
Mom, 3 kids hurt in Taunton accident
By Terence J. Downing, Enterprise staff writer
The Enterprise, Mon, 04 Oct 2004 (Massachusetts)
TAUNTON — A mother's decision to use child-safety seats probably
saved their lives Sunday when the family's van was rammed by a car
driven by an elderly woman who ran a stop sign, police said.
It was the latest serious crash at what has become the city's worst
intersection — Gordon Owen Riverway Extension and Williams Street.
Cheryl McRae, 37, of 120 Prospect Hill St. and her three children
were traveling on Gordon Owen Riverway Extension at about 4 p.m.
when their van was hit by a car driven by Conceicao Medeiros, 74, of
29 Pearl St.
The force of the impact blew out all the windows in the van and spun
the van around 1-1/2 times, said Sgt. Paul D. Roderick, who
reconstructed the accident.
"Because of the force of the impact, those children could have
easily been ejected from that van had they not been in booster
seats," Roderick said.
"Without those seats, they could have been tossed around inside that
van like softballs."
The van landed in front of a house on the opposite side of the
intersection.
Medeiros was coming from the direction of Taunton High School and
failed to stop at the stop sign, Roderick said.
Both vehicles were totaled and debris was spread all over the
intersection, which had to be closed.
Roderick said several neighbors rushed out to assist the mother and
her three children, who were taken to Morton Hospital and Medical
Center.
They were treated and released Sunday night.
"One person stayed right by the children's side until the ambulance
came," Roderick said.
The elderly woman, who is a diabetic, may have suffered a medical
seizure or some other medical episode that may have contributed to
the crash, Roderick said.
"She was really agitated," he said.
Roderick said the children, ages 4, 5, and 8, were in booster safety
seats, which are used for children 40 pounds or more or 4 years old
and up. McRae was also wearing a seat belt.
Livvy, sounds like you're busy! I'm also an active volunteer at my DK's school. Toying with the idea of subbing or becoming a para/tutor, but not sure yet. LOTS of people now asking me if I'll be going back to teaching soon. I just smile and say, "MMmmm, not yet!"
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