Child Passenger Safety Month In Georgia
“Give Georgia Kids a Boost”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 4 to 14.  Keeping children safe on the road means placing them in the right restraint at the right age.  As part of Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Month in Georgia, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), public and private partners will host Georgia’s Largest Booster Seat Check 2003 at the Lakewood Antiques Market in Atlanta on Saturday, February 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

GOHS staff and volunteers will make sure that parents and child care providers know and follow every one of the 4 Steps for Kids and emphasize that the often missed booster seat step is vital for preventing injuries and deaths among young children.  While most infants and toddlers ride in the right child safety seat, less than 10 percent of the children who should be in booster seats use one. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children who have outgrown child safety seats be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 80 pounds and 4'9".  Children should not be moved prematurely into seat belts.  A booster seat lifts a child up so a safety belt can fit correctly.  Without a booster seat, in a crash, a small child can be ejected from a vehicle.

“Securing your child in the right child safety restraint at the right time may mean the difference between life and death for children,” said Yvonne L. McBride, Director of GOHS. “Booster seats (the often-overlooked step) are as important as the other three steps for child passenger safety.”

Throughout the month of February, traffic safety advocates will be reaching out to parents and child care providers to educate them about child passenger safety issues, including the use of booster seats, and encourage them to take the message to parents and child care providers.  Throughout 2003, childcare providers will be attending classes on “Moving Kids Safely in Child Care,”

According to U. S. Census Data, approximately 7 million children age five and younger are in some form of childcare.  Engaging childcare providers provides an unprecedented opportunity to ensure the safe transportation of millions of children.

Child Passenger Safety Month in Georgia

The 4 Steps for Kids are:

1. Rear-facing Infant Seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year old and at least 20 pounds.
2. Forward-Facing Toddler Seats in the back seat from age one to about age four and 20 to 40 pounds.
3. Booster Seats in the back seat from about age four and 40 pounds to at least age eight, unless the child is 4'9" and 80 pounds.
4. Safety belts at age eight or older or taller and 4'9".  All children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.