LANSING – State Representatives Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) and Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today announced that their child-safety restraint bills are headed to the full House floor. The House Transportation Committee unanimously approved their legislation on Thursday after hearing testimony.
"Requiring parents and caretakers to use booster seats will prevent injuries and save lives," Angerer said. "Parents of children who have outgrown a baby seat may think car safety belts are enough – but they aren't. Safety belts were not designed for our young passengers. This plan protects the well-being of our children."
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths to children. In 2005, more than 2,300 Michigan children age 8 and younger were injured in crashes, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. Motor vehicle crashes remained the largest single cause of injury-related deaths in 2005, resulting in 16 deaths for Michigan children age 8 and younger. A booster seat is four times more effective in preventing head injuries than a seat belt alone.
Under Angerer's plan, a manufacturer-certified booster seat would be required for children under the age of 8 and who are not taller than 4 feet, 9 inches. A violation would result in a civil infraction, which would be waived if the driver acquires a mandated booster seat prior to the court date.
Ebli's proposal requires drivers to securely place children under the age of 4 in child-restraint safety seats
in the rear seat of a vehicle. The legislation also would remove the exemption for children who are being nursed.
With its current child passenger safety law, Michigan is not eligible to receive over
$1 million
in federal funding that could be used to provide education and free booster seats to low-income families.
Legislation sent to the full House floor today would bring the state in line with federal laws, allowing Michigan to apply for this funding.
"We must encourage safety for every child who climbs into a car," Ebli said. "By strengthening Michigan's laws, we will protect the safety of our children and be eligible to obtain much-needed federal funds for our state."