(Sacramento) –Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell-Gardens) with the support of statewide medical groups and insurance organizations has announced that her child car seat safety bill, Assembly Bill 53, has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.
AB 53 would require children, up to two years old, to remain in rear facing car seats. Currently, children are required to ride rear facing only until 1 year of age.
“This new law is a victory for children and families. The Governor and the administration should be commended for their foresight and commitment to child safety,” Garcia said.
Garcia commented that she was encouraged by the strong support AB 53 received, to make California the third state in the nation to mandate this major child safety improvement, “With this easy modification, California will be a leader in preventing needless tragedy and saving the lives our children.”
Despite studies and educational campaigns by doctors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not enough parents are changing their behavior. An overwhelming number of parents still place their children in a forward facing position too early.
According to medical professionals the heads of young children are heavier and their necks and spinal cords are not fully developed. In an accident, young children facing forward have a 75% greater chance of injuring their spines or even breaking their necks, due to impact.
“As the statistics show, this simple change in car seat position will make sure our next generation will be safer on our roads.” Garcia concluded.
AB 53 is supported by a wide coalition, including the American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Personal Insurance Federation of California, California State PTA and the California State Firefighters’ Association.
AB 53 will be effective January 2017.
Editors Note:
According to the Bill, there is an exemption:
SEC. 2.
Section 27360 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
27360.
(a) Except as provided in Section 27363, a parent, legal guardian, or driver who transports a child under eight years of age on a highway in a motor vehicle, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 27315, shall properly secure that child in a rear seat in an appropriate child passenger restraint system meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(b) Except as provided in Section 27363, a parent, legal guardian, or driver who transports a child under two years of age on a highway in a motor vehicle, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 27315, shall properly secure the child in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system that meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system.
(c) This section does not apply to a driver if the parent or legal guardian of the child is a passenger in the motor vehicle.
(d) This section shall become operative January 1, 2017.
