HARRISBURG - A new state law that takes effect Friday requires children between ages 4 and 8 to be in a booster seat while riding in a vehicle.
The two Bucks County lawmakers who helped write the law said it will help save lives. But another lawmaker said he's received numerous complaints from constituents, who think the law is an inconvenience, a financial burden and unnecessary. He said he would seek to repeal the law.
"Numerous parents in my legislative district contacted me criticizing this requirement," said state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Elk, Clearfield. "Many believe their child is too emotionally mature to be constrained in such a manner. ... They also believe, and I concur, that placing a child within those age ranges into a booster seat is a decision that should be made by the parents and not the government."
But supporters of the new law, known as Act 122, said it will do much more good than harm.
"I think it's our responsibility to look out for people's welfare," said Rep. Katharine Watson, R-144. "If you know this [new law] will protect children's health and safety, are you not derelict in duty for not supporting it?"
Watson said hearings were held on the issue, and she consulted with many doctors and injury prevention specialists before crafting the legislation. Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, R-6, introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Ultimately, the provision was included in a transportation bill as an amendment by Sen. Robert Mellow, D-Lackawanna. The bill was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law last year by then-Gov. Mark Schweiker.
"They just think we're coming up with this on a whim," Watson said. "It's not [like that]. It's well thought out and based on good science."
Currently, 88 percent of Pennsylvania children 4 to 8 years old are inappropriately restrained in an adult seat belt, according to the Partners for Child Passenger Safety. These children are 31/2 times more likely to suffer serious injury and four times more likely to suffer a significant head injury.
The good news is that child safety seats, when used in a consistent and correct manner, are effective in reducing injuries and saving lives, according to the National Safe Kids Council. In Pennsylvania between 1996 and 2000, 84 percent of children who were involved in traffic crashes and secured in a safety seat sustained no injury.
But Surra said the new law poses a financial burden on many families as well. Booster seats range in price between $50 and $120, he said.
"Those numbers are extremely high," said Watson, who said seats could be bought for as little as $25. Finding a cheap seat could be a problem, though, she said.
"The biggest problem we have in the Southeast is that they're in short supply," she said.
At the moment, Pennsylvania drivers are only required to have children under 4 years old in special safety seats. Under the new law, the booster seat requirement is a secondary offense punishable by a $100 fine. As a secondary offense, it's only enforceable if the driver is stopped for another violation. A similar law already exists in New Jersey and Delaware.
I had to double check the actual writing of the law since my DD is 8. It states "to the 8th birthday". There is a $50 fine if you are stopped and your child is not in the proper seat.
