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Child Passenger Safety
With the school year starting for children all across the country, road travel increase with a shift in traffic patterns. This time of year can be a dangerous one, with car crashes being the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 3 an 14.
The biggest reason for children being badly injured or killed in car crashes is because three out of every four children who ride in child safety seats are either not properly secure or not restrained at all. Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
In the state of Florida, child car seat requirements are as follows:
- Children through the age of 3 must be secured in a separate child safety seat, or in a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child safety seat
- For children between the ages of 4 to 5, they must either be in a separate carrier, integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt must be used
- Children under 5 years of age must be properly restrained regardless of where in the vehicle they are seated
- Children who weigh 40 to 80 pounds and are under 4’9″ should ride in a booster seat.
Vehicles equipped with passenger air bags should never have a child in a child safety seat placed in front. For those passengers who are not in safety seats or booster seats, buckling up is the law and will help reduce injury or even save their life in the case of an accident.
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in an accident because of another drivers negligence, the attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright will help you and your family get the justice that you deserve.
