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After 14 years of battling, NBC2 (WESH) Orlando reports, safety advocates are celebrating the Florida legislature's approval the beginning of May, 2014, of new requirements for the use of child booster seats.  This law becomes effective in January 1, 2015. Prior to now, Florida was one of only two states not requiring child booster seats after a child outgrows the car seat. 

Central Florida Safety Council Spokesperson, Glenn Victor, when speaking about a booster seat, said, "It elevates the child up a little bit so the seat belt can secure them properly by going across the chest in the proper way."

The Florida Senate and House approved bill (HB225) would require children in motor vehicles to be restrained in a federally-approved car seat through age 3 and either a car seat or booster seat for children ages 4 and 5. 

"Protecting children in their vehicles is the responsibility of all drivers," says Florida Child Injuries Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Safe Kids Worldwide reports that: 

• Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19.
• Children ages 2 to 5 who use safety belts alone prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those in child safety seats or booster seats.
• Of those children ages 12 and under who died in vehicle crashes in 2011, 33 percent were unrestrained.
• Children should ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.

As a reminder:

• Newborns will need to ride in the center of the back seat facing the rear of the vehicle in a safety seat, preferably with a 5-point harness, reclined halfway back says carseat.org
• A child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer, typically around 2 to 3 years of age. Then, the child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

When buying a new child safety seat here is an easy-to-use checklist:

• The seat needs to meet the federal motor vehicle safety standard.
• Your child’s height and weight needs to fit the limits listed on the car seat label.
• The harness should be easy to adjust.
• The seat should be easy to install in the vehicle.

After the car seat is purchased, it must be installed and used properly. Safekids.org recommends: 

Right Direction. You want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, usually until around age 2. When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat. Make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower anchors.

Inch Test. Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than an inch side-to-side or front to back? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.

Pinch Test. Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots. Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go.

Florida Child Injuries Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.