LANSING – State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) today announced that her child-safety restraint bill was passed by the House of Representatives. Byrum's bill is part of a four-bill package.
"It is tragic that so many children across this country die in car accidents because they were not properly secured," Byrum said. "We can save lives by tightening our regulations on child restraint systems in Michigan. Protecting our children is a top priority."
In 2005, more than 2,300 Michigan children age 8 and younger were injured in crashes, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. Motor vehicle crashes remained the largest single cause of injury-related deaths in 2005, resulting in 16 deaths for Michigan children age 8 and younger.
Under the plan, drivers would be required to securely place children under the age of 4 in child-restraint safety seats in the rear seat of a vehicle. The package of legislation also would remove the exemption for children who are being nursed. With its current child passenger safety law, Michigan is not eligible to receive over $1 million in federal funding that could be used to provide education and free booster seats to low-income families.
Legislation sent to the full House floor today would bring the state in line with federal laws, allowing Michigan to apply for this funding. Byrum's bill establishes fines for violating the law requiring seat belts or car seats for minors in vehicles, but would waive fines if the driver acquired the mandated car seat prior to the court date.
Under the plan, a manufacturer-certified booster seat would be required for children 8 and younger, and who are not taller than 4 feet, 9 inches. A violation would result in a civil infraction.
A booster seat is four times more effective in preventing head injuries than a seat belt alone.
"The effectiveness of safety belts and child safety seats for reducing injury severity and preventing death has been well documented," Byrum said. "It's time our laws were updated to better protect our children."