Popular Pages

Effective October 7, children younger than 8, unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, must use a booster seat.

This new law combines the existing laws requiring children younger than 4 years and less than 40 pounds to use a child safety seat; and children 8 to 15 years to use a safety seat or seat belt.

At least 34 Ohio children between ages 4 and 7 died in motor vehicle traffic crashes between 1999 and 2006 and traffic is the leading cause of death for this age group. In addition, in 2007, only 18 percent of Ohio children ages 4 to 8 used a booster seat, according to Partners for Child Passenger Safety.

Law enforcement will issue warnings only beginning October 7. Full enforcement will begin April 7, 2010, with fines ranging from $25 to $75 per violation. Ohio’s child restraint law is defined in Ohio Revised Code 4511.81

Child safety seats and booster seats are available at a reduced cost to Columbus residents who qualify through Columbus Public Health’s Injury Prevention Program. More information on Injury Prevention, including scheduled car seat checks and fitting stations. For car seat information, call the hotline at (614) 645-7748.

More information on Safe Kids Central Ohio can be found at www.safekidscentralohio.org/