Utah lawmaker Chris Herrod is attempting to reverse the current legislation on requiring booster seats for children until they're 8. I'm personally against it. What are your thoughts? Should we legislate parenting?
In the health world we have this thing about how "a law is worth 1000 health educators", and the truth is most kids aren't big enough to sit in a car without a booster until at least eight. It's not legislating parenting (which is also already quite legislated), it's a driving issue just like wearing a seatbelt and having a valid license. I see my nieces and nephews riding around in forward facing seats before they're one, and out of boosters by age 2 and I really can't get through to anyone that their children will die if they have to go through a windshield at 35mph. People always cite convenience as a reason for risking their kid's lives... the whole thing is ridiculous.
i am all for it....like cam said kids are just not big enough to sit withouut them until then and well i am all for protecting kids. It goes with alot of other driving laws we have out there anything to protect sweet little kids
so what if it takes a little extra time to strap in your kids. Mom asked me a few months ago when I was grumbling about Aidan getting into everything would I rather constantly be getting him out of things or not have to do it at all. So to the idiot who doesn't want to strap in his kids.. do you want to do it until they are old enough by state law to not need it or not have them around to strap in at all?
Car seats are a subject I feel strongly about. My 8 year old is in a high back booster and my 5 year old is in 5 point harness and I have no intention of changing either of them. I keep up to date on safety recommendations and have my car seats checked to ensure they are properly installed. You wouldn't give your child a bottle of bleach to play with, even if it had a child proof cap, so why would you choose to drive them around unsafe?
Did you read Super Freakonomics yet? There's a chapter in their about car seat statistics. Supposedly, after age 2 an adult belt is just as safe as a car seat.
I don't believe it, but it's something to think about. At any rate, I'm keeping my kids boostered until at least 8. Gavin's 5 and in a 5-point harness and Ben's still rear facing. Although, I drove to the park today with Megan in a regular seat and Gavin in a booster.
With most vehicles having shoulder belts everywhere, kids are just not tall enough until they are at least 8. My son is about 9 1/2, and I have just barely let him not sit in one. My daughter that is going to be 8 in December, will not be moving to a no booster seat until she is much taller, because she is so short. I think that laws like these are created to help protect children, when parents aren't responsible or smart enough to put 2 and 2 together and realize that when the seat belt looks like it will choke and strangle their child when the seat belt doesn't fit right, maybe they still need a booster seat. Some parents just need their hands held in order to protect their innocent children.
well, if I'm not mistaken, I believe the new law would state that a child of that age does not have to be in a booster seat if going somewhere within 2 miles of the home? Or something similar? Even still, I can see parents driving further than that. I did not realize kids were supposed to be in a booster till age 8, that seems a little too old to me, but maybe thats because my 7 yr old Nephew hasn't been in a booster seat for atleast a year.
In the health world we have this thing about how "a law is worth 1000 health educators", and the truth is most kids aren't big enough to sit in a car without a booster until at least eight.
ReplyDeleteIt's not legislating parenting (which is also already quite legislated), it's a driving issue just like wearing a seatbelt and having a valid license. I see my nieces and nephews riding around in forward facing seats before they're one, and out of boosters by age 2 and I really can't get through to anyone that their children will die if they have to go through a windshield at 35mph. People always cite convenience as a reason for risking their kid's lives... the whole thing is ridiculous.
i am all for it....like cam said kids are just not big enough to sit withouut them until then and well i am all for protecting kids. It goes with alot of other driving laws we have out there anything to protect sweet little kids
ReplyDeletethere's a reason that law exists. Leave it alone! some people really piss me off.
ReplyDeleteso what if it takes a little extra time to strap in your kids. Mom asked me a few months ago when I was grumbling about Aidan getting into everything would I rather constantly be getting him out of things or not have to do it at all. So to the idiot who doesn't want to strap in his kids.. do you want to do it until they are old enough by state law to not need it or not have them around to strap in at all?
ReplyDeleteCar seats are a subject I feel strongly about. My 8 year old is in a high back booster and my 5 year old is in 5 point harness and I have no intention of changing either of them. I keep up to date on safety recommendations and have my car seats checked to ensure they are properly installed.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't give your child a bottle of bleach to play with, even if it had a child proof cap, so why would you choose to drive them around unsafe?
Laws keep the children of lazy parents safe.
www.kyledavidmiller.org
http://www.seasonedparents.com/?page_id=10
Did you read Super Freakonomics yet? There's a chapter in their about car seat statistics. Supposedly, after age 2 an adult belt is just as safe as a car seat.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe it, but it's something to think about. At any rate, I'm keeping my kids boostered until at least 8. Gavin's 5 and in a 5-point harness and Ben's still rear facing. Although, I drove to the park today with Megan in a regular seat and Gavin in a booster.
With most vehicles having shoulder belts everywhere, kids are just not tall enough until they are at least 8. My son is about 9 1/2, and I have just barely let him not sit in one. My daughter that is going to be 8 in December, will not be moving to a no booster seat until she is much taller, because she is so short. I think that laws like these are created to help protect children, when parents aren't responsible or smart enough to put 2 and 2 together and realize that when the seat belt looks like it will choke and strangle their child when the seat belt doesn't fit right, maybe they still need a booster seat. Some parents just need their hands held in order to protect their innocent children.
ReplyDeletewell, if I'm not mistaken, I believe the new law would state that a child of that age does not have to be in a booster seat if going somewhere within 2 miles of the home? Or something similar? Even still, I can see parents driving further than that. I did not realize kids were supposed to be in a booster till age 8, that seems a little too old to me, but maybe thats because my 7 yr old Nephew hasn't been in a booster seat for atleast a year.
ReplyDelete