New booster-seat law in effect

Staff report

CLEVELAND

AAA East Central said the warning period for the new Ohio law requiring children 4 to 8 years old under 4 feet 9 inches tall riding in a motor vehicle to be secured in a federally approved booster seat expired Tuesday.

Drivers now will be ticketed if pulled over and children are not properly secured in booster seats, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

The law went on the books last fall, but officers were to give only warnings during the first six months. That grace period is ending, and penalties kicked in today, including fines of up to $75 for a first-time violator.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children age 4-8 in Ohio, and in a recent five-year period, 76 children in that age category were killed in car crashes, according to the department of public safety.

Child booster seats are designed for children 4 to 8 years old and are a known lifesaver when properly used with lap and shoulder belts.

More than 60 percent of parents and caregivers do not use booster seats, however, said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central.