Florida Booster Seat Supporters Rally at Capital
CONTACT: Krista Ziehler, (850) 717-5091
Florida Booster Seat Supporters Rally at Capital
Representative Irving Slosberg and the Booster Seat Coalition
Will hold a press conference 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, on the steps of the Historic Capitol.
Tallahassee – Forty-eight states have a Booster Seat law. Unfortunately, Florida has the weakest child passenger safety law in the nation. Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S, but many of these deaths can be prevented by placing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats. Representative Irv Slosberg (D-Boca Raton) is calling for passage of a booster seat law this legislative session. Representative Slosberg will hold a press conference in conjunction with the Booster Seat Coalition 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at on the steps of the Old Capitol in Tallahassee.
The Booster Seat bill (HB 3) by Irv Slosberg and Representative Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo), and co-sponsored in the Senate (SB316) by Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) has not been heard yet in the legislature. Current law permits the use of a safety belt for children ages four and older, but these belts are designed for adults and do not fit children properly. Transportation safety experts recommend that children who have outgrown their five point harness car seat by weight or height use a booster seat until they reach 4’9” (typically between the ages of 8-12).
Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S, but many of these deaths can be prevented by placing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats. Without a booster seat, safety belts cross over a child’s soft stomach and neck which can lead to serious debilitating injuries. Use of booster seats can reduce injuries by 45 percent compared to using an adult safety belt alone.
Rep. Irving Slosberg (D) of District 91 (Boca Raton, Fla.), served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2006, and was re-elected in 2010. He was motivated to enter the political arena after his daughter Dori passed away from injuries sustained in a 1996 car crash.
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