A new California law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom aims to keep more children in booster seats for longer. The law, which modifies Assembly Bill 435, was signed last week and focuses on ensuring that children are properly restrained by seat belts. Initially, the bill proposed banning smaller teenagers from sitting in the front seat and requiring short-statured youth to use booster seats into their middle school years. However, after pushback from some Democrats, the bill was adjusted to retain the tradition of teens calling “shotgun” to sit in the front seat.
Under the new law, starting in 2027, children aged eight to sixteen must pass a five-step test to be considered properly restrained by a seat belt. If the driver cannot affirmatively answer all five questions about their seat-belted child passenger, they could face fines of $490. The questions include whether the child sits all the way back against the seat, if their knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat, whether the belt crosses the shoulder correctly, if the lap belt touches the thighs, and if the child can stay seated like this for the entire trip.
According to CalMatters, the law aligns with recommendations from public health officials and the California Highway Patrol, who have long encouraged parents to follow these guidelines. Advocates point to studies showing that small children in car accidents are more likely to be severely injured or killed because seat belts are not designed for their small frames. Stephanie Tombrello, former executive director of SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., emphasized the importance of using a booster until a child meets the test requirements.
The original version of the bill faced resistance, as some lawmakers worried it would give police an excuse to profile certain groups, and others were concerned about enforcing the law. LAist reports that Assemblymember Lori Wilson, who authored the bill, acknowledged these concerns but stressed the importance of child safety.
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