We try and protect our children from everything! How often do we really think about car seat safety? Car accidents are the #1 killer of children! Statistics show that 80-90% of car seats are installed or used incorrectly! Many states are changing their car seat laws and NY is jumping on the band wagon!
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AAA is pushing to change an outdated car seat law in New York. This comes after a new AAA study suggest that young children are being put at risk of injury, if their car seats are facing forward in the car. The rule used to be to turn children around at 1 yr of age but studies have shown that extended rear facing can save a child’s life. Laws in other states now say that children must be kept rear facing until the age of 2.
State Senator Joseph Robach and Assembly member Sandy Galef have recently introduced legislation that would require rear-seat passengers under two years old to be restrained in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the weight or height limit of the seat as set by the manufacturer. AAA is throwing its support behind this proposal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are two years old. One-year-olds are five times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash if they ride in a forward-facing seat than if they ride in a rear-facing seat. A toddlers head makes up more of their body weight than an adults does, therefore in a crash, forward facing their head and neck will continue to snap forward with more force then an adults causing serious injury.
There has always been the argument about taller children riding rear facing and being uncomfortable, but studies show that rear end crashes are less likely. Plus you really have to ask yourself which is worse a broken leg or a broken neck!
Currently the State of New York only requires young children to be restrained in car seats until age four. It doesn’t require the car seat to be turned a certain way. This also brings up the question of the proper car seat for the age of the child.
All car seats undergo crash testing! All car seats have height and weight limits. There are car seats for infants, toddlers, boosters. Having the right car seat for your child is paramount to their safety. Check this blog spot for more info on car seat safety and as always, DRIVE SAFE!