Brand new car seat law for Tennessee

[peg2001]

Tennessee just passed a new car seat law that will take effect January 2004 that requires children to be in booster seats until age 9 or 5 feet in height.

Something to consider if you will be passing through Tennessee next year. However, I think it is called a "secondary" offense. The police can not pull you over for being in violation but if they pull you over for a "primary" offense like speeding, they can fine you under the car seat law as well.

Peggy

 

[Hillbeans]

I think there is a similar law here in NJ which is 8 years old and/or 80 pounds. Personally, I agree with all of these laws and will keep my child in a booster until he's 10 if he fits. It's by far the safer way to travel. I think back to when I was younger and my DB and I were never in seats like that. Granted, people drive much further distances these days on superhighways, however it's scary to think of the "carbeds" of yesteryear and how far the NTSB has come in making children safer in cars.

 

[madge]

I believe KY is on the way to passing a similar law as well....

 

[safetymom]

That is great to hear. That is how I got my nickname. It was for my work in Child Passenger Safety.

It seems a lot of people are in a hurry not to use car seats for children.

 

[FreshTressa]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that the carseat laws only applied to residents of that state and that you couldn't get a ticket if you were from a state with looser laws.

Not that I am arguing that anyone shouldn't use a booster until the 8 and 80, like my kids will, just clarifying the letter of the law.

Also, is it 5 feet AND 10 years or 5 feet OR 10 years. I have a 17 year old neice that hits 4'10 with shoes!

And one other thing about boosters.....Can't they make them more comfortable??? I would spend $500 on a comfortable booster. The ones I have tried are all hard plastic with a think layer of quilted fabric on top. I have tried britax, safety 1st, evenflo,graco, etc. And they are all hard. My kids(very skinny) both have bruises on their spines from their carseats. And they say not to put anything under them either or add padding as it compromises the safety. I hate taking long trips because of them. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

My state has 6 years and 60lbs, but we will go with the 80lbs rule here.

 

[safetymom]

The laws are written that they apply to anyone in the state. It doesn't matter that you are from another state. There may be a few policeman or places that don't enforce that though.

As far as design, they need to make them that way. Otherwise I am sure every company would try to out do the other in making their seats soft.

I can't speak to the law that the OP wrote about but usually it is either/or. So 5 feet or so many pounds.

I could tell you stories for hours about people that thought their child should be the exception to the rules.

 

[peg2001]

Just a few clarifications. My understanding of the law (and I'm just a regular citizen, not a lawyer or law enforcement), is that it is intended for anyone driving in the state of Tennessee. It doesn't matter where you live, just like speeding laws.

And yes, it is "OR": 9 years of age OR having reached 5 feet in height.

This law makes more sense to me than the ones that specify weight. Why would a short heavy child be safe out of a safety seat but a tall thin one would not? Especially when dealing with booster seats, they are intended to place the child's body high enough for proper placement of the seat belt. Weight really has nothing to do with it.



Peggy

 

[MNmom]

I agree with you totally!! In reality, then age has nothing to do with it either!!! These laws should go by height.

I think this law is fantastic and have many arguments with family and friends about why my kids are still in 5-point harness(4yrs/37lbs), booster (7yrs/45lbs) and the back seat always (10 yrs/61"/95lbs).

I can only hope our state follows suit sooner than later--I have a neice and nephew (5 and 7) that don't use boosters unless they are in my car!!

 

[safetymom]

Age is used because children usually reach certain points in their development by certain ages. Of course some children get there faster or sooner than others.

One of the requirements when using a car seat for an infant used to state when they are able to sit up by themselves. I can't tell you how many stories I heard about how advanced their baby was in this area. I had one mother brag that her son held his head up on the delivery table so he shouldn't have to be in a car seat facing the rear.

By using age instead of depending on the parents to make the decision makes it easier to enforce the law.

The policemen is not going to harass anyone about the age part unless they see some sort of gross misuse or no use of child safety seat or seat belt.

The police are trying to protect the children when parents, guardians, etc. won't.

 

[safetymom]

Height is not necessarily an indicator of the development of the child. You could have a tall skinny child that still should be in a car seat because they don't have the growth needed in other parts of the body.

There is no simple way to enforce this because there will always be exceptions.