Booster Seat Law...

MommyToAshley wrote: Ashley is pretty tall for her age (5-1/2) -- she's off the chart for both height and weight. But, it seems like she is the only one of her friends left (same age as her) that is still in a booster seat. She's as tall or taller than most of her friends. I thought the recommendations (and law) was 4'9" and 80 lbs or 8 years of age. Am I not interpreting the law correctly? Did they change it? I will still have Ashley continue to use a booster seat, but just wondering if anyone else is doing the same? I just want to make sure I didn't miss something, it just seems odd to me that so many people are disregarding the law and safety recommendations.

boyohboyohboy replied: you know I am like you, caleb is huge for his age, but I still have him in a booster and he gets mad because his friends dont use them, and I see that while we wait for the bus, not only that these parents let their kids ride in the front! this is a daily argument in our house..
but I thought it was just as you said, the law that is...
and the seat belt just fits him better in the correct spots when he is in the booster.

Kaitlin'smom replied: by ohio law she does not have to have one. LIke you I plan on keep using one for Kaitlin, granted Ashley is taller than her but I am not comefortable letter her ride with out one, plus the seat belt would hit her wrong and not be comfortable. I looked it up last week after the ER trip and we had a short ride back to the school to get the car with the seat in it, I was nervous the whole way back. I feel better with her in her booster seat.

lovemy2 replied: I honestly haven't paid much attention to that law - Olivia is tall but so skinny she will be in at least a booster seat till she goes to college

Kaitlin'smom replied: here is one blurb

Ohio state law requires that children under four years old and under 40 pounds must ride in a car seat or booster that is appropriate for the child's age and weight. Children under one year old and under 20 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

Kaitlin'smom replied: info

MommyToAshley replied:
Thanks, I found this: http://www.boostohiokids.org/booster_seat_law/current.htm

I guess it isn't a law here. But, it is a strong recommendation. When I took Ashley to Safety Village, they stated that they need to be in a car seat until they are 4'9". The kids even learned a song about it. Although it might not be law, I saw what happened to kids her age that were not properly restrained becuase they weren't in a booster... I'm still keeping her in it. If it's such a strong recommendation, I wonder why it isn't law here.

jcc64 replied: Tell Ashley that at least she's not Corey, who is still in her Britax Roundabout covertible toddler seat. She's very short, and 37lbs, and she will stay in that seat until she reaches the maximum wt of 45lbs. (which at her rate of growth ought to be freshman year) I know Corey's self-conscious about it, and some of her friends tease her, but too bad. Safety's non-negotiable. I'm astonished at how blase so many parents are about car safety. Law or not, my kid's going in the safest configuration possible. Stick to your guns, Dee Dee. You're right on this one.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
look at the info link I posted most states dont have that as law its interesting some are less and some are more.

I found indiana to be interesting, you only have to follow it if you hold an IN license, kinda good to know for travling. and I see KY is going to a new law in July

My2Beauties replied:
Yup. Hanna is very big for her age as well, almost 50 pounds and she is only 4 but she is still in a toddler seat, 5 point harness that fits up to an 80 pound child. She will remain in it too!

MommyToAshley replied:
That's what I am running into as well... Ashley's friends will make comments about "you are still in a baby seat...I don't have to use a booster any more". But, I don't care. Safety comes first and I don't negotiate it.

I noticed some states are going to seat belt laws for school buses as well. I haven't let Ashley ride the bus because the buses here do not have seat belts. I can't believe that it isn't law for school buses to require seat belts. I understand the seats are higher and keep them flying forward, but what if the bus is hit from the side or tips over.

mckayleesmom replied: Considering the fact that Im only 5ft1....Mckaylee is going to be in it for a long time...Russell takes after daddy. Mckaylee right now is still in a 5 point harness....I really don't like booster seats.

holley79 replied: FSS:

Boys r us replied: In Virginia, the law is that they have to be in a booster until their 8th birthday! It doesn't go by weight AT ALL.

Effective July 1, 2007: Child restraint devices are required for children through the age of seven (until 8th birthday). Safety seats must be properly used and approved by Department of Transportation standards.


I thought that was pretty standard these days, but it looks like Ohio is NOT in that group of states mandating it!

grapfruit replied:
I don't believe there's a law in Ohio.

A friend of mine is a big advocate for booster seats after her daughter almost died from not being in one. That's the only reason I know.

jem0622 replied: the other issue is that the seat belt won't protect them properly if they aren't tall enough. i think that there are times where state law isn't what is best for our kids, so we have to do what makes us most comfortable.

Boo&BugsMom replied: We have that law here. Tanner is still in his booster, and will have to be until he's 8 years old.
ETA: he's also as big as some of the 2nd graders in his school, and he's in K.

PrairieMom replied:
Thats when I say, "different Mommies have different rules, you have to listen to the rules that YOUR Mommy makes. "


Poor Ben and his mean mean Mommy. How did he manage to luck out with me?

MommyToAshley replied:
Yup... I just consider it one of her early lessons in peer pressure. LOL!

mom21kid2dogs replied: I could care less about the law, personally, when it comes to this area of life. My kid didn't get out of a booster until she could pass a 5 step test, period. It really is the only reasonably standard measure of safety, IMO. That occured for her about 6 weeks ago. I have no idea what her current height is(she's as tall as the 2nd graders in her class) but she weighs over 80lbs. Aside from one other family we know who's very petite 8.5yo still rides in a booster, no child we know her age rides in one. It's crazy because almost none of them pass this test.
Here's the link to a 5 step test

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

BTW, no one who doesn't pass this test sits boosterless in my car. We always carry a booster in the trunk. I could care less what happens in their care~nobody dies in mine on my watch!

CantWait replied: Funny this should just come up.

The law here, states height, weight (80lb) and at least 8 years of age. Anthony JUST got his booster yesterday when we picked up our new car...oh ya WE GOT A NEW CAR, ONE THAT CAN FIT A NEW BABY WHEN THE TIME COMES

Maybe Ashley could not only tell her friends it's a rule in her house, but maybe she could say something to make it sound cool if it makes her feel better...like how it helps her see out the window, and makes her taller.

luvmykids replied: Our law is so lax I almost wonder why they bother All it says for this age group is that they have to be restrained in a device until four and/or 40 lbs...TBH if I'd done more reasearch before I bought their boosters, the twins (who are six and over 40 lbs) would still be in their 5 pt harnesses

Children 5-12, the only requirement is that they're in the backseat and belted. But the twins will stay in their boosters until they pass the test Cheryl linked. Even before I saw that I knew the seat belt didn't fit properly without them.

MommyToAshley replied:
Thanks for posting the link to the test. I was shown most of that by the car seat inspectors at Safety Village (they had a parent's class). Ashley knows she has to use the booster, but I think I might start carrying an extra booster in the car for when she has a friend ride (thanks again Cheryl). Almost none of them use boosters in their own car's so I am always hesitant to volunteer to drive anyone.

Cece00 replied: I dont think its a law here past the age of 4 I believe...but my 6 & 5 yr old are still in boosters.

My3LilMonkeys replied: I had to laugh today thinking of this thread as I was driving to the Drs today - I was driving DH's car and I don't pass the 5 point test myself.... The shoulder belt goes across my neck instead of laying on my shoulder...

TANNER'S MOM replied: I don't know..but my poor Brittany would still have to be in a booster seat..if she wasn't over 8! She used to make the joke that she would grab her booster seat and hop on the bus, take to school, and be like oh No I don't have a kid, that's my booster seat!

redchief replied: First off, I want to give kudos to all of you!!! You already knew it, but you're awesome moms! Peer pressure can be tough to overcome, so your steadfastness is so important.

For what it's worth, NJ's child restraint law regarding older children: