Michigan Approves Child Car Seat Bill

In an effort to reduce the number of automobile-related injuries involving children, the Michigan Senate approved a new bill last week.

Lawmakers voted 31-1 in favor of a child car seat bill that follows the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Currently, Michigan requires children under the age of 4 to be secured in the car's back seat, unless all back seats are occupied by children under 4. State law also states that children must be secured in booster seats until they’re 8 years of age or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

This new law, if passed, will require all children under the age of 2, or who weigh less than 30 pounds, to be secured in rear-facing car seats. Children between the ages of 2 and 4, or children who weight between 30 and 50 pounds, would have to be secured in forward-facing safety seats.

Just because the Michigan Senate approved the bill, however, doesn't necessarily mean it will go into law. After approving the bill, the Senate send it to the House, who must then decide whether to proceed. If the House approved the bill, which lawmakers are confident will happen, Gov. Rick Snyder must then sign it.

The aim of Michigan's new child car seat bill is clear: to prevent automobile-related deaths and injuries in children. Studies show that infants are 500% safer when secured in a rear-facing car seat as opposed to a front-saving seat. Assuming this bill is passes the House and gets the final approval from the Governor, it will force parents to buckle-up their children in rear-facing seats, which should in turn reduce injuries and fatalities.

The Michigan State Police wrote the following message on its website:

"Children younger than age 4 to ride in a car seat in the rear seat if the vehicle has a rear seat. If all available rear seats are occupied by children under 4, then a child under 4 may ride in a car seat in the front seat. A child in a rear-facing car seat may only ride in the front seat if the airbag is turned off.

Children to be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4-feet-9-inches tall. Children must ride in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first."

Do you think this bill will reduce the number of automobile injuries involving children? Let us know in the comments section below!