Augusta – Representatives of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Safety today announced plans to help educate the public about An Act to Ensure the Safety of Maine Children while Riding in a Vehicle, otherwise known as the Booster Seat Law. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2003.

  The new Booster Seat Law requires that children who weigh between 40 lbs. and 80 lbs. and who are less than 8 years old be properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system (i.e. a booster seat or, for older cars, an easy-on harness). Additionally, children who are less than 12 years old and who weigh less than 100 lbs. must be properly secured in the rear seat of a vehicle, whenever possible.

  This law applies to all motor vehicles that are required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with safety seat belts. Current Maine law requires that children weighing less than 40 lbs be properly secured in a child safety seat, but does not specifically address the safety of children between the ages of 4 and 8.

 Booster seats raise the child riding on it such that the lap and shoulder belt fit properly. National studies have indicated that without a booster seat, a child involved in a car crash is 3.5 times more likely to suffer significant crash injuries or death, even if that child is wearing a seat belt. Lani Graham, MD, MPH, Acting Director of the Department of Human Services’ Bureau of Health noted that the reason for this is because safety belts are designed for adults who, on average, are 5’ 10" and weigh 180 lbs. "Without a booster seat, adult belts put children at risk for abdominal, head and neck injuries," she said.

  Currently, an average of 2 Maine children between the ages of 4 and 8 die every year in motor vehicle crashes. Approximately 23 Maine children in that age category are hospitalized for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes each year. Between 1997-2000, only 7% of Maine children between the ages of 4 and 8 who were involved in a motor vehicle crash were properly restrained.

 Richard Perkins, Director of the Bureau of Highway Safety for the Department of Public Safety noted that the new law should have an immediately beneficial effect on child safety. "The Booster Seat Law means that all Maine children will be properly secured in a motor vehicle. That, in turn, will make for safer travel for children on Maine roads."

 The Departments also announced an initiative to increase the availability of booster seats for low-income families. Thanks to a federal grant awarded to the Bureau of Highway Safety, DHS will be distributing booster seats to qualified families with children ages 4-8 such that all families, regardless of their income, can comply with the new law. There are 55 child passenger safety seat sites around the state where eligible parents and other caregivers can receive a free booster seat appropriate for their child.

The Bureau of Highway Safety manages child passenger safety fitting stations in each county where parents and caregivers can have their booster seats checked for proper installation. In addition, updated "law cards" will be distributed to children in elementary and middle schools around the state in September to get the word out about the new law when the school year begins. Both departments will also provide educational materials to interested groups throughout the state over the next several months prior to implementation of the new law.

 For information on the nearest location of a child safety seat site, fitting station or the name of a technician near you, please contact the Maine Injury Prevention Program toll-free at 1-800-698-3624.