The leading cause of death amongst young children in the United States is automobile accidents and injuries sustained as a result of such accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every state has laws governing the use of these child restraint devices, dictating when they must be used. Some states set specific height restrictions for booster seats, while others do not.
Requirements
Some, but not all, states regulate booster seats based on the height, age or weight of the child. For example, the state of Kansas requires that any child between the ages of 4 and 7 and who is under 57 inches tall must use a booster seat. On the other hand, the state of Colorado requires that children between the ages of 4 and 7 ride in a booster seat, but makes no limits about the child's height.
Types
There are two types of booster seats: high-backed seats and those without a back. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that any child between the ages of 4 and 8 sit in a booster seat. However, if the child is shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, and lighter than 80 pounds, the child should sit in a high-backed seat.
Effects
Proper use of child restraint devices, including booster seats, decreases the risk of child injuries in car accidents.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are an average of 504 child-injuries and four deaths per day as a result of auto accidents. A study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration showed that approximately 72 percent of drivers improperly used booster and car seats, increasing a child's risk of injury during a crash.
Punishment
State laws also establish penalties, which vary widely, for child restraint device violations. In Kentucky, for example, a first-time booster seat violation costs a driver $30 in fines, while a car seat violation costs $50. In Hawaii, on the other hand, there is a $100 fine for any violation.
Warning
Child restraint laws are subject to change at any time. Check with your state's driver's license bureau, attorney general's office or talk to a qualified attorney in your area if you want more information about the laws in your state. You should also make sure your child's restraint device is age-appropriate. Federal law requires that all restraint devices come with a usability guide that explain how to use the seat and for what age or height the seat is appropriate.
