Tougher Restrictions on Child Booster Seats

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal recently signed into law a bill that requires children to sit in booster seats until they reach age 8.

Until now, only children under the age of 6 were required to use the booster seats. 

Children who are at least 4-foot-9 or 40 pounds will be exempt from the new booster seat law.

Come July 1, parents who violate the law will be fined up to $50 for a first offense and up to $100 for a second offense.

Q: What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the new law?

A: My own children are no longer in booster seats, but I remember back in 2000 when I was confused over when was the right time to use just the car seat belt. I could never remember the age and weight thing. 

Still, I think booster seats are a great idea and offer an older child more freedom to move in the car. 

Leslie Olejnik, mother of two

A: My soon to be 9-year-old still uses a booster seat 90 percent of the time. She will continue to use it until she hits the 4-foot-9 (height requirement) recommended to use a regular seat belt. I do this because it's the safest for my child. According to this law, my almost 6-year-old could also opt out because of the weight requirement, but he will be in a booster until he reaches the required height as well. This law does little to help the safety of children because of the weight exemption.

Admittedly, it is nice to have the option for them to ride without the booster seat if we're in a situation where an extra one isn't available. However, this is definitely the exception, not the rule. Overall, this law won't impact me because I am already following the suggested practice. I think it's a sad sign of the times that the government feels it must mandate what I see as something conscientious parents should be doing anyway.

Melissa Holder, mother of two

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