Child Safety Seats and Utah House Bill 113

Dear Representative *** and Senator ***,

I have noticed with interest HB113, “Child Restraint Device Amendments”. I believe that the current child restraint device laws are too restrictive, and I am pleased the legislature is considering amending them.

In the book “SuperFreakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the authors discuss a study indicating that perfectly installed and fitted car seats for 3- and 6-year-olds are no more effective in a crash in protecting children than the poorly fitting built-in seat belt. (A brief summary of their findings can be found here and here at the Freakonomics Blog at the New York Times website.) While I am not claiming that this is a definitive study on the subject, I am interested in learning what studies and reports the Utah State Legislature is using while considering amending the law. I am especially interested in any recent studies about older children (ages 5-8) and booster seats being considered during the deliberative process.

As much as I applaud the direction of the amending (loosening the requirements on older children), I have serious concerns about the language of the amendment. As written, I do not see how this law could be enforced. How would a police officer know if I was driving directly to or from my home? That I was driving to the school or an authorized activity? That I don’t have a booster seat in the trunk in case I have to drive 5 miles away from the house?

As a parent of four children under the age of seven (with a fifth child on the way), I am directly affected by these laws, and will be for a good many years to come. I would very much appreciate hearing from you on your opinion as to these amendments, on how the law would be enforced, and what scientific studies are being used to inform the Legislature on this subject.

Thank you for your service and your help in this request.
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I sent this letter to my state reps yesterday. As I said in the first paragraph, I think the current Utah law is overly restrictive. There are two reasons I believe this:

First, the SuperFreakonomics research is very intriguing, from a safety/risk perspective. Yes, it would be safer to have my children wear helmets all the time, to never ride in a car, and (heavens forbid) never play competitive sports. But are the risks so much greater than the benefits of, say, spontaneous play, transportation, and team spirit? I think not. I'm not against safety (and it seems that no one is arguing that very young children (less than five years old) should be put in child seats), but we really have to weigh the actual risk versus the possible gain. I want to know that our legislature is well informed in making this decision.

Second: Have you ever tried to fit three car seats/booster seat/any combination thereof on one row of seats? It can't be done in a standard minivan or a standard sedan. (Actually, you can, barely, in a standard sedan. If you don't mind having to force the door closed every time, and warping the plastic of both the car seat and the inside door handle.) So this July I am in the unenviable position of a) breaking the law by letting my six-almost-seven-year-old not use a booster; b) buying a full-size van or SUV; or c) not driving anywhere with my five children. Considering I currently drive a 7-person vehicle, this is an unacceptable situation.

Next post: the actual language of the law and the ridiculousness thereof.