A major concern for parents is how to safely transport their children. The reality is that there is only so much a parent can do; everything else comes down to the child himself/herself, or surrounding motorists. Outside of a child unbuckling themselves and moving about in the car, it is surrounding motorists that pose the biggest threat to safety while transporting children in the car. Until the stray car hits yours, utilizing seat belts, boosters, and car seats are among the best practices any parent can employ to keep children safe.
Seat belts have proven to be the most effective safety devices installed in cars to date. In fact, they are so important to safety that 49 states and the District of Columbia have mandatory seat belt laws (excluding New Hampshire). Further, 31 states and the District of Columbia have primary laws enacted for all drivers. A primary seat belt law means that a police officer may, on sight, pull over a motorist who is not wearing a seat belt; they need not any other reason.
Boosters and car seats have very specific installation regulations that must be followed to ensure safety of children. A rear-facing car seat should never be placed in the front seat of a car with an equipped airbag. No child should transition from booster to seat belt until a height of four feet nine inches is reached, and the child weighs at least eighty to one hundred pounds.
The size and weight of your child will always dictate where they sit, how they ride, and which type of safety device should be utilized, whether it be a seat belt, booster, or car seat.
As mentioned above, the unanticipated stray vehicle is out of your control to handle. Yes, you can prepare for it, but reality dictates that some actions of others may slip through your precautions and strike hard. For these occasions, call a Las Vegas personal injury attorney, or one in your area.
There is no reason why all your careful preparations should go to waste due to someone else’s carelessness.
