WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam Bradley. January 31, 2004: National Child Passenger Safety Week, which begins on February 8, reminds us that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children over the age of one. That’s why it’s so important that we educate families on ways to keep our children safe. As a father of a young child, I know it’s important to help parents understand how to protect their children and prevent serious accidents from happening in the first place.
I am sponsoring measures designed to improve current passenger safety laws by requiring age- and weight-appropriate restraint devices, such as booster seats. My legislation would require passengers who are 4, 5, and 6 years old to use child restraint systems appropriate to their size and weight, including booster seats (A.996-A); and permit children under the age of 4 weighing over 40 pounds to ride in booster seats rather than child safety seats (A.613).
Our children’s safety is our most important responsibility and we must take additional steps to protect them. Safety experts tell us we need to transition children from baby seats to adult seat belts. When children grow out of their baby seats, they still need to be restrained in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly in an adult seat.
In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that placing children in age-appropriate restraint systems reduces serious and fatal injuries by half. However, nearly one in three 3-year-olds are inappropriately graduated from car seats to booster seats, and almost one in five are moved from car seats to adult safety belts too soon, according to Partners for Child Passenger Safety.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 50 to 80 percent of car seats in use today are installed improperly. Parents can make sure their child’s safety seats are installed properly by visiting:
The Greenburgh Police Department Inspection Station
One Beacon Insurance, 177 Hillside Ave., White Plains
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact: Jason Caravaglia at 682-5334; or
The Harrison Police Department
650 North Street, Harrison
Monday–Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
An appointment is required
Contact: Sgt. Richard DiBuono at 967-5111 ext. 40
Additional passenger safety measures that I am sponsoring would prohibit anyone from operating a car or truck with a child under the age of 7 in the front seat (A.4648), and prohibit operating a truck on a public highway with anyone under the age of 18 in the cargo area (A.601).
These common sense measures will help prevent injuries and accidents on Westchester roadways. I remain committed to protecting our children and all motorists by making their safety a top priority.
