National Child Passenger Safety Week

The State of Kentucky and The Johnson Law Firm encourage families to become informed about car seat use during National Child Passenger Safety Week, that began September 13. The week concludes with National Seat Check on Saturday, Sept. 19, when certified child passenger safety technicians across the country will be available at car seat events to offer advice and instruction to parents and caregivers in securing their children from birth through age 12 in the right car restraints for their age and size.

Effective June 24, the State of Kentucky enhanced its booster seat law to increase a child’s height requirement to 57 inches and the age requirement to 8 years old. Children younger than 8, but taller than 57 inches, will not have to ride in a booster seat. Law enforcement officers will issue citations with a $30 fine and no court costs. Violators will have the chance to buy a booster seat instead of paying the fine. A properly installed, belt-positioning booster seat lowers the risk for children by nearly 60 percent compared with using seat belts alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And startling statistics support such usage:

• In 2013, 38 percent of children under 13 killed in car crashes were completely unrestrained—they were not in car seats, booster seats or seat belts.
• In 2013, among children under the age of 5 in car wrecks, an estimated 263 lives were saved by child restraints and an additional 55 children could have survived if car seat usage was at 100 percent, according to the NHTSA.
• As it stands, car crashes are a leading cause of death for children — every 34 seconds one child under age 13 is involved in a crash. From 2009 to 2013, 3,335 children under age 13 were killed and an estimated 611,000 children were injured in car crashes.

So, while no motorist looks forward to being involved in a traffic crash, the reality is that they can happen anytime, anyplace. The Johnson Law Firm, with more than 15 years of experience, understands that reality and is available during regular business hours or by appointment during late evening and weekend hours, offering a free accident consult to discuss all legal options. Stop by or call for a free, confidential consultation and understand why the Johnson Law Firm is known as the “nicest place in town.”