PHOENIX -- An effort to close a loophole in Arizona’s current child passenger restraint law took an important step forward Wednesday when it passed out of the Senate Public Safety and Human Service Committee with a 5-0 vote.
SB 1050 would require children age 8 and younger and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall to sit in a booster seat, when riding in a car since the use of an adult safety belt will not properly protect them in the event of a crash.
Under Arizona’s current child passenger law, parents and caregivers are able to transition children from a car seat to an adult seat belt at the age of 5.
Arizona is currently one of three states without a law which properly protects children over the age of five. Texas and Minnesota both recently passed booster seat laws within the past month.
The measure has been long supported by the public and safety advocates alike.
In 2007, the AAA commissioned a study which revealed that 72 percent of respondents would support a booster seat law in Arizona.
“As an advocate for the safety and security of the traveling public, AAA Arizona wholeheartedly supports this legislation, which would give our state’s most precious cargo the protection they deserve,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the proper use of a safety seat can reduce a child’s fatality risk by up to 71 percent.
Additional research by the agency indicates that using a booster seat with a seat belt as opposed to using a seat belt alone can reduce a child’s injury risk in a crash by up to 59 percent.
Children using an adult seat belt without a booster seat can suffer from serious head, spine and abdominal injuries, slip out of the belt or even be ejected from the vehicle in the event of a crash.
“Research shows that parents are reliant upon laws to keep children safe. Booster seats position the child so the adult seatbelt fits them correctly.
"This is not about Arizona being a "nanny" this is about keeping children safe and well,” said Immediate Past-President of Arizona Emergency Nurses Association Tomi St. Mars, RN, MSN, FAEN.
SB 1050 was introduced to Arizona’s 49th Legislature in early 2009 by Senator Linda Gray.
The next step for the bill will be the Senate Rules Committee followed by the Senate Caucus, which will likely occur sometime within the next week.
