Clarification on Booster Seats; Car Show Maintains Popularity

Boosters and Kids

Last week’s Good Carma column (“Parents Need to Be Up to Speed on California’s New Booster Seat Law”) brought questions from parents who want to be sure they are in compliance.

For clarification: Under current state law, a child must be restrained in a child safety seat or car booster seat until he or she is both 4 years old and weighs 40 pounds, said Adam Cuevas, legislative liaison with the California Highway Patrol. For example, a child who is 4 but weighs only 35 pounds must ride in a booster or safety seat; a child who weighs more than 40 pounds but is only 3 likewise must use a booster or safety seat.

Under the new law, which will take effect Jan. 1, a child must be restrained in a child safety seat or car booster until he or she is either 6 years old or weighs 60 pounds. For instance, a child who is 5 but already weighs 60 pounds would not have to ride in such a seat; a child who is 7 but weighs only 55 pounds also would be exempt from the new law.

There is an exception, Cuevas said: If a child weighs more than 40 pounds (regardless of age) and the vehicle’s back seat is not equipped with a combination lap-and-shoulder belt (required to work with most boosters), the child may be restrained by the lap belt only.