Michigan Votes Forum

The fact is, seat belts simply don't fit children well. As a Child Passenger Safety Technician, I have NEVER seen a child under age 7 who fit a seat belt properly. Unfortunately, because the law currently allows chlidren to use just a seat belt once they turn 4, parents believe that it's safe to do so when, in fact, a poorly fitting seatbelt can cause incredible internal injuries in a crash. Many of those injuries can be prevented by the use of a simple, affordable booster seat. We need the government to tell parents that it's NOT safe, and kids DO need to use at least a booster seat until they are big enough that the seatbelt fits properly.

Perhaps you should write your legislator and suggest he/she author a bill on bathtub safety. The reason your statement is true is that there is a LOT of safety regulation on the automobile (I'm talking volumes). Thank you for proving my point of the necessity and effectiveness of appropriate gov't regulation.

to make me safer in my home. it's MY job. you worry about YOUR home, and i'll worry about mine. i don't pay legislators to make me safer in the tub, i pay them to keep criminals off the streets. i don't pay legislators to keep me safer in my car, i pay them to keep the roads in good repair. i don't pay legislators to keep me safer in my yard, i pay them to keep the water clean and the sewer lines running. now, i don't know what YOU think you pay them for, but if it's anything much other than that, you have the wrong idea about what they are to do in lansing, or DC.

Do any of you know how behind Michigan is as far as car seat laws go? Take a trip down to Children's Hospital in Detroit and SEE what happens to these kids when they aren't restrained properly. After kids turn 8 the height and weight limit no longer applies. It's be a good idea to keep them in a booster until they are big enough to ride in just a seatbelt, but hey, since the vast majority of people on here care more about getting a ticket than having their child survive a car accident, it should make you folks happy. If parents knew better and kept their kids safe in the car we wouldn't need this law. But there's also laws about feeding your kids too. Darn government. How dare they tell us what to do? And by the way, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children over 1. Not drowning, not falling, not choking. CAR CRASHES. Everyone says it won't happen to them...until it does. If your child is injured or killed because YOU failed to put them in safety seat, don't say "I didn't know!". As parents we should want the best for our kids. Sure one day a meteor might fall on our car and kill all of us, including my kids in car seats. And there's nothing I can do about that. But I CAN keep them safe in the car. If a parent can't afford a car seat or booster seat then they qualify for free ones. It's not about making money. It's about protecting kids whose parents either don't know better or don't care.

the allstate guy sometime soon. they pay several times more claims for injuries in the home than they do for injuries in automobiles. fortunately, most injuries in the home do not require lengthy hospital stays, mostly a few stitches or a splint. as for deaths, the death rate only dropped a few points when seatbelts became mandatory. it should have dropped by two thirds, the level of compliance, but it didn't. why not? seatbelts save lives, don't they? seventy five percent of people today buckle up, has the death rate dropped seventy five percent? no. has it dropped fifty percent? no. has it dropped twenty five percent? no. it HAS dropped about three percent since seatbelts became mandatory. pretty sad showing for something we are being told WILL SAVE OUR LIVES IN AN ACCIDENT.

we are told airbags save lives too... 100 percent of new cars have them, some have several... has the death rate in new cars dropped 100 percent? no. not even close. they're still dying. even though we have seatbelts and airbags. both were promised to be life savers. why aren't they working as promised?

"Take a trip down to Children's Hospital in Detroit and SEE what happens to these kids when they aren't restrained properly" The key word in your statement is not restrained properly. how is this law going to make idiot parents do what's right? All this will do is give the state another B.S. reason to pull you over and take some of your money. Nobody here wants kids to be running around the backseat, they are just sick and tired of the creeping mommy government you whiny, thumbsucking, scared of your shadow libs are shoving down our throats.

Child Passenger Safety Technician?

Since I already plan to keep my child safe in the car, I'm not sure how the law would even affect my civil liberties. My 28 month old still rides rear facing and while inconvenient, it is SAFEST for her. I guess it just depends on what is more important..your children's safety or your convenience. Let's be honest..if you are aware, your kid is in a proper seat anyway. If you didn't know that kids can stay HARNESSED, not even in a booster, but HARNESSED to 8olbs, then just do a little research and you'll be amazed at how much you can protect your child from. Contact your local CPST (Car Passenger Safety Technician) and get an expert opinion..you go to an expert for(your ped) for healthcare, why wouldn't you ask a CPST for car safety recs? There is a HUGE lack of info out there so people truly believe regular belts are safe....it is sad wehn they get seriously injured because the info isn't out there. They have to make these laws because so many people DON'T or REFUSE to know about car safety.

Car Passenger Safety Tech is someone who is certified..has taken a 4-5 day course in exclusive car safety for passengers. They are trained in car seat options, positions, installation...they can help choose the best position in your car, tell you why babies should rear face past 12 months, tell you why extended harnessing is recommended..can often help with finding seats in your budget or donation companies that help low income families. Many are familiar with sad stories like these and want to prevent this from happening to you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04&feature=related or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Have you noticed who voted in support of the bill? It was not markedly split across party lines. I applaud our state lawmakers, and encourage them to avoid making this an issue of political partisanship, and to focus on the ultimate beneficiaries of the booster legislation: precious children and their families. A relatively low-cost booster seat is a life-saving device that should be encouraged and promoted to families who may not otherwise realize the benefits for children who do not properly fit in an adult seatbelt, rather than disparaged as big government telling us all how to raise our children. Children aren't adequately protected by an adult sized seatbelt until they pass the 5-step test to forgo using a child restraint: http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm It's about time Michigan child restraint laws acknowledged this reality and promoted the use of booster seats for children to prevent this from happening in a crash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntPksBGDgFI& The crash test dummy in the foreground has the seatbelt up high across the neck, which can be catastrophic in a crash by decapitating the child or causing permanent paralytic injury. The crash test dummy in the background is submarining (sliding down and forward)under the seatbelt, and subjected to several internal abdominal injuries as well as potentially fatal or paralytic neck/spinal trauma. A booster law can help prevent this from happening to little ones, and Michigan owes children a booster law to help prevent such tragic crash outcomes.

opposed to you yourself sitting in a 'booster seat' if some government safety organization says it's safer for you? whether it is or it isn't. by the way, what is the percentage of reduction of child deaths since car seats were made mandatory? that has about a 90 percent compliance rate nationwide. i doubt that the reduction is that high. they ARE supposed to SAVE LIVES, AREN'T THEY??????

Since I already plan to keep my child safe in the car, [and how do you plan to keep your child safe? a five point harness? a roll cage? a fuel cell? multiple fire extinguishers?] I'm not sure how the law would even affect my civil liberties. [you are not at liberty to raise and protect your child the way you see fit. safety experts put such things as five point harnesses, roll cages, fuel cells into cars to make them as safe as possible. you doing any less is simply you keeping up with what the government tells you to do. if you were TRULY concerned about keeping your child safe, you would work on making your car survivable in an accident at highway speeds by all occupants.] My 28 month old still rides rear facing and while inconvenient, it is SAFEST for her. [that's not what the EXPERTS say. they say that older, larger children should be sitting facing front. but you should know that already...] I guess it just depends on what is more important..your children's safety or your convenience. [or obeying the law and paying a 'driver's responsibility fine' of thousands of dollars.] Let's be honest..if you are aware, your kid is in a proper seat anyway. [and a harness, and a roll cage, with a fuel cell, and a fuel cut-off, and speed rated tires, with a professional caliber driver behind the wheel.] If you didn't know that kids can stay HARNESSED, not even in a booster, but HARNESSED to 8olbs, then just do a little research and you'll be amazed at how much you can protect your child from. Contact your local CPST (Car Passenger Safety Technician) and get an expert opinion..you go to an expert for(your ped) for healthcare, why wouldn't you ask a CPST for car safety recs? [did yours reccomend you keep your kid facing backwards?] There is a HUGE lack of info out there so people truly believe regular belts are safe....it is sad wehn they get seriously injured because the info isn't out there. [decapitation from seatbelts went from ZERO before they were mandated, to hundreds a year. hundreds more die from seatbelt injuries. every cop i know carries a seatbelt cutter to cut himself out of his belts. i know several who have used them. so, talk to me about safety measures that take lives.] They have to make these laws because so many people DON'T or REFUSE to know about car safety. [so, why do those who DO know still hesitant about using them? they ARE supposed to SAVE LIVES, NOT TAKE THEM, AREN'T THEY?????]

i dont tell you how to do your job now do i?? unless you have taken the classes and are certified as a CPST please do not go on and on spweing BS telling people what the reccomendations are. The American Acadamy of Pediatrics says to rear face until (ideally) 2 years old and 30ibs. Have you ever seen a child or even pictures of what internal decapitation looks like?? I hope you think more of your kids (if you even have any!!)than you act like you do because heaven forbid you are ever involved in an accident. Sonya CPST

Around 12 years of age a body has developed enough that it can withstand more of a blow. So an adult riding in a booster isn't the issue. Their organs have matured enough by that pint that, while still harmful, can withsatnd the impact better. The idea is that children, with underdeveloped organs, are properly protected upon impact in an accident. And I do know of some adults who use a booster to be more comfortable. There are several that accomadate an oversized child or average adult.

What Expert have you spoken with the recommends forward facing prior to the recommendations of the seat? Not only does the AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) and every car seat tech I've ever spoken with has recommeneded this. While speaking with my pediatrician she confirmed that childrens bones, especially, around the spinal cord do not solidify until around 3. I love how cops think they know...when most are not even certified or have only went to the class once and think that they can beat the odds. BTW, we carry a window breaker, car seat belt cutter, strap down everything while driving (oh including children and adults) chose a vehicle with safer crash ratings, and drive below the speed limit so my choices are not simply car seat derived. I have an OBLIGATION to my child to keep her safe. Instead of arguing with some who has done the research..why don't you do some yourself!!!!!

do what a responsible parent does and buy a cheap back up seat. Scenarias at Walmart run under $50 and harness to 40lbs and decent hbb can be bought for the same amount. Personally, I won't let kids rid ein my car without the proper seat. Why would you take on that liabilty or let Grandma?

that may be true...there are stupid people so there must be stupid laws. Should there not be laws for murder or child abuse because people should have the right to make tehir own choices and we just stand back and hope it is the right one????????????

FORCE to make the one you choose. one is a free world, the other... i'll let you supply the title.

kids in carseats till they're twelve???

just depends on my daughter's size. I would guess by 7-8 yrs old she would be mature enough for a booster(size is not the main factor, it is whether she can sit perfectly still in a booster). She would then ride in that until passing the 5 point test recomended by techs. This usually happens between 8-11. I am sure you weren't purposely being dense, but I was referring to why adults could go without boosters at 4"9" and under. The organ maturation is also why kids can't sit in front until after 12.

"how is this law going to make idiot parents do what's right? All this will do is give the state another B.S. reason to pull you over and take some of your money. Nobody here wants kids to be running around the backseat, they are just sick and tired of the creeping mommy government you whiny, thumbsucking, scared of your shadow libs are shoving down our throats." Well, if said 'idiot parent' does comply with the law then there's no need to be pulled over. I don't see your point. I'm liberal because I realize a lot of people don't take safety seriously until there's a danger of a ticket? No one is taking away anyone's rights. I don't care if YOU don't wear your seatbelt. You have a choice. I DO care if the child in your backseat is in a car seat. They are the ones who will suffer for a parent's mistake.

The number one killer of kids ages 1 to 14 is motor vehicle accidents.

"1984, Big Brother is watching you!" I agree 100%

TO GET THIS BOOSTER SEAT? I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. THE COMPUTER I AM USING IS FROM A LIBRARY. YOU WANT MY 8 YEAR OLD IN A CAR SEAT GIVE ME THE MONEY!

Really they only cost $20 at Walmart. Really if your child is under 4"9" and 80lbs, they should be in one anyway. Not sure why people have kids if they can't properly support them or keep them safe. You can call your local SafeKids coalition and request a free seat. They do not always have them but you can try.

"our kids arer worth saving!!" I agree, Sonya. And since they're OUR kids (ie, mine as much as yours, even though we've never boinked), I'm going to insist on reviewing camera surveillance and wiretaps of your living room so as to ensure OUR kids are only allowed limited amounts of appropriate television / videogames. I'll be sending a private dick to discreetly check up on whether you're stuffing OUR kids full of their 18 daily servings of peatmoss and wood chips, or whatever the USDA Food Dodecahedron is requiring this week. And you'll be heartened to discover that I'll now be mandating two hours per day with OUR kids in my Libertarian Reading Room, in which we will study and discuss the great works of Rand, Rothbard, Hayek, Mises, etc. in order to ensure that OUR kids stay intellectually healthy and socialism-free. Yes, you might initially object to the slight loss of your liberties that my plan would incur, but in the long run, you'll surely realize that the welfare of OUR kids is far more important.

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!!

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!! [kid might fall in and drown]

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!!

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!! [kid might become malnourished]

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!! [mid might twist an ankle shooting hoops]

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!! [skin cancer]

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!!

Have fun paying a $65 ticket then instead. Better yet, STOP having kids!! [kid might become a socialist]

two million dollar health club, have fun paying the $65 dollar ticket. the kid might become fat and lazy sitting in the carseat on his way to public schools.

twenty dollar bible, have fun paying the ticket. the kid might become a muslim, or a murderer, or an inmate, or a sociopath, or a child molester.

a private school, have fun paying that ticket. your kid might become a democrat.

a sixty thousand dollar hybrid, have fun paying the ticket. your kid might become a union slug. if you can't afford a six hundred dollar gun, have fun paying the ticket. your kid might become a crime statistic. if you can't afford a set of morals of your own, have fun paying the ticket. the liberal indoctrination centers will give him one of their's.

people who are for increasing child seat mandates actually rode in one as a child? certainly those who would say that 'child seats weren't invented yet' would agree that the technology for making them was certainly available back then. certainly they would agree that tragic deaths and injuries occured back then. certainly they would agree that their must have been a 'hue and cry' for stopping the carnage back then. so, was it a lack of concern by the parents that stopped them from putting you in a carseat? was it negligence that stopped them from duct-taping you to a seat? was it the fact that cars were so much safer back then? was it the fact that drivers were so much more skilled back then? or was it the fact that the government hadn't mandated it yet? it must have been a GOOD IDEA when you were a child just like it's a GOOD IDEA now, right? did your government just NOT CARE???? did your parents just NOT CARE???? which was it? and how are you going to deal with that abuse?