How long are your kids supposed to sit in a boster seat? I know the laws vary by the state that you live in. We live in TN and kids are supposed to ride in a booster seat until age 9, but hardly any of my girls friends (ages 6 and 8) sit in one anymore. Most of their parents don't seem to think it is no big deal. My kids somtimes complain because their friends don't sit in a booster seat, so why should they? I am not going to back down, because I think it is important. I was just wondering if you know what the law in your state is and do you follow it.
Thanks!
I do. I'm glad its not simply the age of the child here in CA.. The height as well as ability to fit in a regular seat belt properly are factors too. Thank goodness. My child is almost 3 and will need the booster before 4. Wasn't going to have my tall 4th grader in a booster seat simply because she was 9. The regular seat belt fit while a booster did not.
My kids were on the smaller side so they were in boosters longer than most of their friends too.
When they complained I didn't remind them how safe it was (BORing) but I did remind them that not only could they see better, but mommy would get pulled over by the police and get a very big ticket if they didn't :)
The law here is 8 years old or if they hit 4'9" prior to their 8th birthday. My daughter is now 9 years old, 4'2", 78lbs and just in the past month or two got out of her booster seat, however if she ever starts not sitting properly I will not hesitate to put her back in it. Don't worry it is nowhere near expiring. On the other side of things my almost 6 year old is still 5pt harnessed and will be until he hits 65lbs, the limit of his seat and then will remain in a booster far beyond the age requirement of 8 years of course unless he manages to hit 4'9" before that.
I find it funny(sarcasm)that many people's reasons for keeping their child in a booster seat is because they don't want a ticket in lieu of the reason being because it is what is safest for their child.
I don't actually know the law in tx about booster seats but my son is 5 and sits in one at all times..We do know people who kids are the same age or younger and dont use seats. And i really dont wanna pay a ticket so i make sure he's in a seat.
I worked in the criminal justice system. Your friends are breaking the law. It is a misdemeanor in most states, as opposed to a "moving traffic violation" (a speeding ticket). If they are stopped, they will be cited, must appear in court and most likely pay a fine. It will also be on their criminal record! I've seen it on people's records plenty of times.
After my daughter was out of her booster they changed the law in CA and we had to go and buy new seats. Now it is 8. Some of my friends dont follow the law though. I am not sure of the safety reasons but I would rather not have the ticket. I actually posted on this earlier in the year when our law changed. At the end of the day my daughter believes in following the rules and it must be there for a reason.
http://www.tn.gov/safety/newCRD.shtml
Actually, it looks like 8 is the magic age. However, if the child is not tall enough, they must still use a booster seat despite the age.
Your kid's friend's parents are breaking the law.
its not the age its the size of your child... here in ky its 50 inches when they can be out of a booster... my almost 9 year old is 49 inches and just now out of a booster
here in washington its 8 or 4'9'' i believe. also they now want all children 2 and under rear facing. my daughter is 5 and will ride in a booster or 5 point (when winter comes) till she is 8.
In Oklahoma they only have to be age 5 or less to be in any kind of child care seat. Once they turn 6 they don't have to be in any kind of seat if the seat belt sits in the right place across their chest.
This is what I found when I looked up your states laws.
Ages 4-8
"Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child is not between age four (4) and age eight (8), but is less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)"
http://www.tn.gov/safety/newCRD.shtml
Belt positioning is the key phrase in that whole section. If their seat belt fits across their chest they don't have to sit in anything. If they did it would make the seat belt not fit right.
If those parents want to take the chance on getting a ticket if they are stopped then let them. If they don't get stopped then they are fine IF the seat belt is fitting where it's supposed to be.
My ex SIL got stopped several times with my oldest grandson in the vehicle with him. Not in a car seat. They asked his age and since the belt went across the right part my ex SIL told them that if he was in a booster the seat belt went across his stomach. They said he had made the right choice and he NEVER got a ticket, even when my grandson is 4 or 5 years old.
So the seat belt position is the whole deal. Kids get hurt due to the seat belt being across their throat or neck. If it is across their chest they are fine.
the law in colorado is under 8 has to be in a booster seat. My son will be 8 in Jan and I do not have any plans on getting rid of the booster until I can see that the seatbelt fits him properly. He doesnt complain about it. Jumpin on and off of interstates a lot while driving I want him the safest he can be in the car. We did remove the high back part after he turned 7 though because the seatbelt did fit just fine without it. My daughter is 5 and still uses the high back part and will until she is 7.
I've always heard the rule 8 AND 80lbs. My oldest is 7 but only weighs 40lbs. He will be in a booster for a while! Do what is best for your child:)
We're in TN also and like yours, my kids complain about how their friends don't have to sit in boosters. My daughter is 7 and already so many of her friends don't ride in boosters, or worse, I see them in the front seat of the vehicles even when there is no one in the back seat. The way I see it, the law states they must ride in a booster THROUGH age 8 so that's they way I do it. When my daughter complains about it, I explain that this is what will protect her if we were ever in an accident.
8 years old AND 4'9" should be the standard. People are in such a hurry to move their kids on from every stage, but it just comes down to safety. Height is obvious, but the age part has to do with maturity and bone density.
I believe the law in Texas is they have to be 8 years old AND 4 ft 9 in before they are legally allowed out of the boosters. Although, the height is the more important factor.
Like someone else posted, in Texas it is until they hit 4'9", or they turn 8. My 8yo likes being in the booster because he can see better, and he knows he is safer in it, so he has chosen to stay in it for now. I'm only 4'11", so it may be a loooonnnnggg time before he hits 4'9". :)
ETA: I'm pretty sure it's an OR not an AND in Texas - 4'9" or 8 yrs old. I have a friend whose 8yo son is taller than me, and she follows the law to the letter on all things. She stopped putting her son in a booster a couple of years ago when he reached 4'9", and I can't imagine her doing that if the law didn't allow it. I looked it up when my son turned 8, also, but I'm too lazy to look it up again now. ;)
I beieve it is more to size than age that is important. If they sit in the car and the diagonal seat belt is not where it needs to be then they need a booster seat. Now if they are embarrised by the kiddie ones then they probaby are old enough for those seat raisers grown ups use to see out the windshield. Also some cars have adjustable seatbelts. What it really comes down to is you do not want your kid using only the lap belt. That is way dangerous
