New Law Requires Car Seat for Some Children Ages 4-8

A new Michigan law will require automobile booster seats for children ages four to eight who are smaller than four feet, nine inches tall. The law is effective July 1 and carries a $65 fine for those who don't comply.

The goal of the measure is to improve safety for young passengers. Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the law March 27.

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for Michigan children ages 14 and younger. In 2005, 7,188 Michigan children up to age 15 were injured and 84 children were killed in crashes.

A 2004 study found that only 8.6% of Michigan children age four to eight were using a booster seat, 48.8% of children in that age range were belted incorrectly in an adult safety belt, 5.1% were in a child restraint when they should have been in a booster, and 37.5% were completely unrestrained.

Correctly used, booster seats can reduce the risk of neck, spine, and abdominal injuries for children in that age group by 59%, AAA Michigan reports, and child restraint laws have been shown to increase use rates.