Drivers Face Fines Up to $250 for Failing to Properly Secure Young Passengers

AUSTIN, Texas--It’s a common mistake that many parents make — taking their children out of child safety seats too soon and letting them use seat belts before they are tall enough or old enough for seat belts to fit properly. Beginning June 1, that mistake could be a costly one.

“That’s why children need a booster seat to raise them up so the safety belt fits correctly and gives them maximum protection.”

A new state law passed last year states all children under 8 years old have to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Texas legislators gave parents and others who transport children several months to comply with the new requirement. When the grace period for making sure children have the correct safety seat ends May 31, violators face fines of up to $250 plus court costs.

The deadline falls during TxDOT’s annual Click It or Ticket campaign when officers statewide are cracking down on unbuckled drivers and passengers and drivers who don’t properly secure children in their vehicles.

“Safety belts are designed to fit adult bodies,�?? said Carol T. Rawson, P.E. TxDOT’s traffic operations director. “That’s why children need a booster seat to raise them up so the safety belt fits correctly and gives them maximum protection.�??

According to national safety advocates, most children outgrow forward-facing child safety seats around the age of four. That's where booster seats come in. A booster seat does exactly what the name suggests: It boosts your child up so that your vehicle's lap and shoulder belts safely restrain him or her. Without a booster seat, an adult seat belt can actually cause head, neck, spinal and internal injuries in the event of a crash rather than preventing them.

Parents can choose from two main types of booster seats: high-back or chair-style seats. The type that is best for your child depends mainly on what kind of seats you have in your vehicle. Booster seats can be purchased for as little as $15 at discount retailers.

For more information about selecting the child safety seat appropriate for your child’s height and weight, visit texasclickitorticket.com. For additional information on safety seat checkup events in your area, please call Safe Riders at 1-800-252-8255.

The Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its approximately 12,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets. Find out more at www.txdot.gov. Fan us on Facebook www.txdot.gov/facebook. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/txdot.

TxDOT’s five goals: reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of transportation assets.

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