Senate To Vote On New Child Safety Seat Rules

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Legislation up for a vote in the Michigan Senate would update rules for how children should be buckled up.

Michigan's current law requires drivers to secure children under age 4 in back safety seats. The law also says children should be buckled in booster seats until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

"Unfortunately, children do not remain in rear facing car seats long enough. Recent studies have found that injuries could have been avoided had children been in the proper seat," Republican Sen. John Proos, the bill's sponsor, said in a statement.

Senators plan to approve legislation Wednesday that would bring Michigan's standards in line with recommendations from the federal government and pediatricians.

Children under age 4 who weigh less than 30 pounds would be in rear-facing seats. Those between 30 and 50 pounds would be in a forward-facing safety seat. Children under 4 feet 9 inches would be in booster seats.

Proos, of St. Joseph, said the bull is about "sending a statement that Michigan takes child protection seriously and that we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of child passengers in our state."

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