Dallas personal injury attorney-Amy K-outlines the proposed child injury prevention law.
Dallas, TX(JusticeNewsFlash.com)–The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ and leading Dallas personal injury attorney, Amy K. Witherite, urges all Texas drivers and passengers to clearly understand the new proposed Texas bill (SB61). The new legislation, awaiting final approval into Texas law, establishes requirements and guidelines for child booster seats in motor vehicles. The Texas bill requires all child safety seats and booster seats be installed according to the manufacture’s instructions which include age, height, weight, and placement of the safety seat in the automobile.
The Texas bill (SB61) should be interpreted as follows:
• Children eight years or older are not legally required to travel in a child safety seat system while being transported in a motor vehicle.
• If a child’s height is 4’9” or taller, but under the age of eight years old, they are not legally required to travel in a child safety seat system.
• If a child is eight years old or older, but not yet 4’ 9” tall, they are not legally required to travel in a child safety seat system.
The DPS states the law will take effect immediately when Texas Gov. Rick Perry signs the bill or allows the new legislation to pass unsigned. Texas police officers are instructed to issue warnings until June 1, 2010. After June 2010, police officers will write citations on any violations of the new law. A fine of $25 will be assessed for the first offense, with a limit of $250 for any subsequent child safety seat violations.
The Texas DPS office provides a simple test to help parents determine if their child needs to be restrained in a child safety seat system. If the answer to any of the questions below, taken directly from the Texas DPS website, is no, the child may be better protected in a booster seat while traveling in a car, pickup truck, SUV, minivan, or bus.
1. Do their legs bend naturally at the knees or over the edge of the seat?
2. Does the lap portion of the belt fit low over the hips and top of their thighs?
3. Does the shoulder portion of the belt fit across the center of their chest?
Aggressive in the Texas courts, Dallas personal injury attorney, Amy K., strongly urges all drivers to understand Texas has a safety belt law. If your child or any child traveling in your motor vehicle, which is defined as any driver or passenger under the age of 18, must wear a seat belt whether they are in the front or backseat.
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Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer Amy K. Witherite
Practice areas: Texas Automobile Accident Claims
Amy Witherite. Eberstein & Witherite, LLP. 3100 Monticello Avenue, Suite 500. Dallas, TX 75205 – Toll Free: (888) 407-6669
http://www.dallastexaspersonalinjurylawyers.com