In another post, I discussed my frustration that California's 6 yr, 60 pound booster seat law was not being enforced. Well, I found out why. Seems the smart people in Sacramento signed it into law January 1, 2001, but it is not going to be required until January 1, 2002. To me, this is utterly ridiculous. I called our county health department and inquired, and I was told that it would take a year to establish education services, how things would be funded, advertising programs, etc. So, in the meantime, four- and five- year olds are expendable! And what amazes me is the number of people I know who say "well, it's not the law, so I'm not going to do it until I have to."
My daughter started kindergarten this week, and she is getting a ride from school to daycare from a good friend. She has a four-year old son in her class. When I requested that she put my car seat in her car for these rides, she was quite hesitant. Seems a fireman friend told them that after four years of age car seats were unnecessary AND GET THIS -- kids should only be restrained by the center lap belt, because the shoulder straps can hurt them! So she's been putting her son in the middle seat of her Tahoe with only a lap belt! I gave her an earful. She said she didn't even think about how her son could sustain severe abdominal injuries and could smash his head on her center console. So now, she is putting him back in a booster, and when my daughter is in the car she'll take him out and let her ride in it. Well, at least my daughter will be safe... (mind you the ride is about 1 block each day. But I can't risk it - there's lots of traffic and school buses.)
When I got off the phone with her, it made me feel like I was paranoid and overreacting. But I know I'm not!
Oh - and I also read online that some states actually do not have child restraint laws for kids over age 10, and that in some states it is not illegal to hold your baby in your lap for nursing. There need to be big changes here, or more innocent children are going to be killed!
Thanks for letting me vent again.
My daughter started kindergarten this week, and she is getting a ride from school to daycare from a good friend. She has a four-year old son in her class. When I requested that she put my car seat in her car for these rides, she was quite hesitant. Seems a fireman friend told them that after four years of age car seats were unnecessary AND GET THIS -- kids should only be restrained by the center lap belt, because the shoulder straps can hurt them! So she's been putting her son in the middle seat of her Tahoe with only a lap belt! I gave her an earful. She said she didn't even think about how her son could sustain severe abdominal injuries and could smash his head on her center console. So now, she is putting him back in a booster, and when my daughter is in the car she'll take him out and let her ride in it. Well, at least my daughter will be safe... (mind you the ride is about 1 block each day. But I can't risk it - there's lots of traffic and school buses.)
When I got off the phone with her, it made me feel like I was paranoid and overreacting. But I know I'm not!
Oh - and I also read online that some states actually do not have child restraint laws for kids over age 10, and that in some states it is not illegal to hold your baby in your lap for nursing. There need to be big changes here, or more innocent children are going to be killed!

Thanks for letting me vent again.