Florida Law regarding 6 year and booster seat

[egoldber]

Just FYI, we fly with DD's Graco Turbobooster all the time. The back and seat separate easily, and the seat part fits either in the overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you. I always carry it on to make sure we at least have the seat. The back I either check or carry on as well, depending on how much other stuff we are carrying on.

 

[Maria395712]

you can also buy one when you get there .20.00 is no big deal if you already spent thousand's . leave it at the front desk or something maybe someone else can use it but you still have to drive from the airport to the store in a seatbelt.
maria

 

[jojowentbyby]

I don't mean to be a pain but I'm curious how do you know it's not an issue? Why is driving in a Disney bus, Mears bus, town car, monorail, boat, taxi cab, all safer then the OPs vacation rental car with a seatbelt? How are they different? I personally feel safer in my rental car with a seatbelt then I do on the packed Disney buses.

Do we know the statistics of a bus/taxi/monorail/boat accident vs. rental car accident while on vacation? Just wondering.

I do not know the statistics but The school systems do not require car seats or even seat belts in most states because busses are so large that they have little chance in being seriously hurt unless traveling on the highway at greater speeds. At least that was the answer I was given when I asked my school system. I still drove my child in a car seat.

Last year when we went I had to be very insistant with the mears guy (driving a 7 seater mini-van not a bus) to allow my then 4 yo to ride in a booster. He did not want to give up the room and wanted her in DH's lap. I was furious. We had to change seats just to find a working seat belt in the van for my 2 kids DH and I had to chance it. We brought her car seat and checked it as luggage it was not trouble at all. We only used it too and from the airport.

 

[rlt431]

Just for everyone to know - I bought a booster seat last night and it is packed in our luggage and ready for use.

I sure didn't mean to stir the pot like I did.

I'm leaving in 2 days and I AM going to have fun.

 

[disneyqueen500]

Just wondering what you all think of my dilemma. We live in MAssachuesetts and the law is a booster until 5. My DS is 6 1/2 and still in a booster. I truly beleive he is safer in it. Most of the kids in first grade do not sit in booster seats nor do the parents have a booster seat for my DS when picking up for playdates. I always bring it along for them and make sure they know my rules. When picking up DS friends they give me a hard time about sitting in a booster seat in my car. they say its for babies. and they ask me why their parents do not make them sit in one. I am not going to preach to their parents about this, But I feel responsible for these friends when they are under my care. Should I just let the booster seat thing slide for them when in my car? My DS understands he is safe in a booster seat so I am so glad there are no problems with him resisting. We always bring one with us for travel.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

This is from the state of Fl Drivers Test Handbook 2004-2005 (Fl. allows advertisers to print the handbook to save money. but this is the OFFICIAL State handbook). Hope this helps.

For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat or a seat belt may be used. All infant carriers and car seats must be crash-tested and approved by the U.S. Government.

Does this mean that 4 & 5 year olds can use a just a seat belt? ("or a seat belt may be used") That is how I am reading that statement, but I don't know if that if correct.

 

[beattyfamily]

Just for everyone to know - I bought a booster seat last night and it is packed in our luggage and ready for use.

I sure didn't mean to stir the pot like I did.

I'm leaving in 2 days and I AM going to have fun.

Great! I'm glad you were able to figure out what's best for you and your family on your vacation. That's what I do too; pack our 2 no back booster seats in a carseat bag (Babies r Us) and check it with out luggage.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip!

 

[hsmamato2]

If what I posted offended someone, I'm truly sorry, but I hope that at least it made one person think twice about leaving their booster at home I'll be glad I said what I said.

I'm thinking twice... I'm a super momma... but for the last 2 years instead of ds's little booster I brought the soft belt adjuster thingy, for convenience...one year we didn't drive much, so I was ok, but a bit nervous, I know one time in a bad accident is too many, but one time we drove a lot, and Ifelt bad-- he;s 6.5 now, was considering the soft adjuster, but it still doesn't fit him right,and we'll be driving a lot, so I'll bring his itty bitty booster, you just nudged me back in the right direction! Thanks! I know I'd never go anywhere without proper seat at home, so I shouldn't lower my standards for vacation...

 

[hsmamato2]

Last year when we went I had to be very insistant with the mears guy (driving a 7 seater mini-van not a bus) to allow my then 4 yo to ride in a booster. He did not want to give up the room and wanted her in DH's lap. I was furious. We had to change seats just to find a working seat belt in the van for my 2 kids DH and I had to chance it. We brought her car seat and checked it as luggage it was not trouble at all. We only used it too and from the airport.

A few years ago we had the same issue- I fought them, and got ds his own seat, puh-leese! My baby wasn't going to ride in someones lap through 1/2 hour on highways so they could squeeze one more person in! It also happened in D.C.- hotel shuttle wanted ds to sit on a lap to train staion, we said no way....Just trying every day to do the rright thing...

 

[jodifla]

OP, you'll find that people go crazy on this board on the topic of car seats...actually, really any topic on how to raise your kids. They can't resist beating posters up who ask a question relating in any way or form to children's safety.

The Florida law does state that 4 and 5 year olds on up can use seat belts. If your child rides in a car seat all the time though at home, they may just feel more comfortable in a car seat on a trip. I think your idea of a backless booster will work well.

Personally, I don't buy the endless argument that I hear on these boards that buses are safer than cars in an accident. I think you'll go flying in any case if you are not restrained.

 

[jodifla]

A few years ago we had the same issue- I fought them, and got ds his own seat, puh-leese! My baby wasn't going to ride in someones lap through 1/2 hour on highways so they could squeeze one more person in! It also happened in D.C.- hotel shuttle wanted ds to sit on a lap to train staion, we said no way....Just trying every day to do the rright thing...

This same scenario happens daily on Disney buses. It's hyperbole to suggest "your baby is going to die" because he rides on someone's lap once. Not that you don't have the right to refuse to ride if you think it's unsafe.

Wonder how all those people in NYC survive? I've never seen anyone get into a NYC cab with their 7 year old and a car seat.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Wonder how all those people in NYC survive? I've never seen anyone get into a NYC cab with their 7 year old and a car seat.

Just curious, what do you do in NYC w/ a toddler up to a 7 or 8 year old in cabs? (I am assuming babies under 1 year would be in a carrier and would be buckled into the cab?)

 

[kidshop]

Just wondering what you all think of my dilemma. We live in MAssachuesetts and the law is a booster until 5. My DS is 6 1/2 and still in a booster. I truly beleive he is safer in it. Most of the kids in first grade do not sit in booster seats nor do the parents have a booster seat for my DS when picking up for playdates. I always bring it along for them and make sure they know my rules. When picking up DS friends they give me a hard time about sitting in a booster seat in my car. they say its for babies. and they ask me why their parents do not make them sit in one. I am not going to preach to their parents about this, But I feel responsible for these friends when they are under my care. Should I just let the booster seat thing slide for them when in my car? My DS understands he is safe in a booster seat so I am so glad there are no problems with him resisting. We always bring one with us for travel.

I'll give you my opinion....My ds is 6 1/2 too, and in the 25% percentile, so he is absolutely safer in his booster. *MY* ds is in a booster, and I have had others use our extra booster when we drove them places. I would offer and encourage another child to sit in the booster (a simple, "this is the way we do things" is a sufficient answer for a 6 yo), but not 'make' them if it is not a law. They would be made to wear the seatbelt. In any case my ds would likely pressure them to sit in the booster , peer pressure can be a good thing! It's tricky, and I am uncomfortable driving is child who the seat belt does not properly restrain, but when you have done all you can...it's not your fault. I'm driving four kids this week for a field trip, and I'll be interested to see if any bring a booster. (I'm thinking no) I only have one extra, but I'll see if anyone will use it. So, yes, I do think it is Ok to let it slide in your car, but if you have an extra booster, by all means offer it! And about the 'baby' remark, I would say something like, "the seatbelt can't keep you safe if it's doesn't fit you right and that's why ds uses his booster.." Ds knows how the belt is supposed to be across his hips and his shoulder so he would launch into an explanation I'm sure!

 

[surfgirl]

Hey guys, thanks for the informative discussion. We all understand what is safe... what is legal in each different state is what we may not know.

I think this horse is severely beaten.... let's let it die an ungraceful death, please.

Question asked. Question answered. Question debated. And debated some more.

 

[tlbwriter]

Personally, I don't buy the endless argument that I hear on these boards that buses are safer than cars in an accident. I think you'll go flying in any case if you are not restrained.

Stating that buses are statistically safer than cars isn't an argument.

Just wondering what you all think of my dilemma. We live in MAssachuesetts and the law is a booster until 5. My DS is 6 1/2 and still in a booster. I truly beleive he is safer in it. Most of the kids in first grade do not sit in booster seats nor do the parents have a booster seat for my DS when picking up for playdates. I always bring it along for them and make sure they know my rules. When picking up DS friends they give me a hard time about sitting in a booster seat in my car. they say its for babies. and they ask me why their parents do not make them sit in one. I am not going to preach to their parents about this, But I feel responsible for these friends when they are under my care. Should I just let the booster seat thing slide for them when in my car? My DS understands he is safe in a booster seat so I am so glad there are no problems with him resisting. We always bring one with us for travel.

I won't let anyone ride in my car without a booster (if they need a booster) for two reasons - their safety, and my liability. You are right to feel responsible for those kids, and you are right to protect yourself should anything happen. I personally would not let it slide.