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(KSL News and AP) Lawmakers, child safety advocates and business representatives gathered at Rose Park Elementary today to give away 300 new booster seats.
Companies like Ken Garff Auto donated the booster seats to help parents comply with a new law that requires children ages 8 and younger to be strapped into a booster seat while riding in a car.
Janet Brooks, child advocacy manager for Primary Children's Medical Center, said, "This booster seat boosts the child up so that the seat belt fits appropriately over the strong portions of the body: the chest, sternum, the lower hips, the pelvis, where that seat belt will not hurt the child in a crash."
Law enforcement agencies will start to enforce the new booster-seat law for chidden starting May 5. The law will require car seats until riders are 8, rather than 5. Children taller than 4 feet 9 inches are exempt.
The Utah Legislature approved the change on the final day of its 2008 session.
Advocates say as children get older than 5, parents tend to forget about keeping them in a child or booster seat for their safety.
Sen. Gregory Bell says the kids try to use adult seat belts that don't fit well.
The Fruit Heights Republican says some children end up putting the shoulder strap behind them.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
