AUGUST 31, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015, 8:52 AM
BY KARA YORIO
STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD
North Jersey parents have always looked forward to a child’s first birthday. Not only is it a great milestone and cause for celebration, it was the point where the law allowed car seats to be flipped from rear-facing to forward-facing. As of Tuesday, that changes.
New Jersey law is falling in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations, which have said that children should remain rear-facing until at least 2 years old or weighing more than 30 pounds.
“The science and studies are quite clear,” said Howard Mazin, an Englewood Hospital and Medical Center attending pediatrician, who has always urged his patients to keep their children rear-facing until age 2. “I know all parents want what’s safest for their kids.”
The other big change in the law is that kids should be in a booster seat until age 8 or 57 inches. Previously it was until 8 or 80 pounds. Children younger than 4 years old or under 40 pounds must be in a seat with a five-point harness (ideally rear-facing until hitting the limits set by the seat manufacturer) not a booster seat using the regular seat belt. The fines have also been raised from a minimum of $10 and maximum of $25 to a minimum of $50 and maximum of $75.
I guess the manufacturer’s won out against science again. There is no statistical proof that car seats are safer than a kid simply wearing a seat belt. Read Freakonomics. HOWEVER, this is a great way to sell really big cars and lots of car seats.
brian gets it. Huge victory for Graco!