AAA looks to modify state seatbelt laws

AAA Arizona is advocating new legislation designed to keep young children safer while riding in a vehicle.

As it stands, Arizona law requires that any child under 5 years old must ride in a restraint system in an automobile. There is currently no height requirement and the new law would change that.

A spokeswoman for AAA said the new bill would modify that law and make the requirement for the use of a booster seat for children under the age of 9, who are not more than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

Linda Gorman said that while everyone knows how important a booster seat can be to the safety of a child, AAA wants the people of Arizona to be aware that the 4-foot, 9-inch height is a number agreed upon by a number of experts in the field, as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"The requirement is based upon recognized guidelines by safety experts," Gorman explained. "Using a restraint system is the most effective thing someone can do to keep their kids safe in a car."

She added that about 95 percent of 5 year olds do not meet the height requirement, whereas 95 percent of 9 year olds do.

In previous years, Gorman said AAA has attempted to change the law but never received a hearing. For this year, the automobile association put together a coalition of experts, including members of Phoenix Children's Hospital, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Department of Public Safety, who all went on record backing the bill, which is being sponsored by Sen. Linda Gray (R).

"There is an age gap that we want to close," she said. "We don't look at it as an entirely new law, we look at it as closing a loophole."

Shorter children who wear a seatbelt without a booster seat can be subject to major injuries, Gorman said. Arizona is one of only seven states in the country that does not require a booster seat until a child can sit properly with a seatbelt and it is being reflected in accident results.

"Arizona ranks No. 4 in the amount of kids who die every year in accidents," Gorman said. "In a survey by AAA not too long ago, it was shown that the majority of people do not know that after their child turns 5, they might not be fully protected."

The current law and the one being proposed are first offenses in that someone can be stopped by authorities for no additional reason. Gorman said the goal is not to fine people but, rather, make them aware.

"We don't want to punish people, we just want to keep their kids safe," she said.

To find out more about AAA, visit www.AAAAZ.com.