Click those seat belts. Beginning July 1, children younger than 8-years-old and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches are required to use a booster seat in a motor vehicle.
The bill, signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, is a step toward making children safer in motor vehicles.
Booster seats elevate a child in a car’s seat in order to make the seat belt fit properly, according to www.michigansafekids.org.
There are two types of booster seats: no back and high back seats. The different types depend upon whether a car has a high enough back and head support on its seats.
All booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder safety belt, according to the website.
The previous law required children under 4-years-old to ride in an infant or child seat, according to www.michigan.gov.
The new law does not require children who are 8-years-old and taller than 4 feet 9 inches to use a booster seat, but it is recommended.