As anyone who has been in one can tell you, a car accident can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. Medical bills, damaged property and long-term health issues can result from a seemingly minor crash.
Of course, it’s one thing if adults are the ones injured in an accident. However, it’s a much different one when kids are involved. Children aren’t responsible enough to strap themselves into child safety seats in anticipation of a car accident.
That’s one reason why Texas legislators recently passed a bill requiring that drivers who have child passengers buckle them safely and use child safety seats if required. It is admittedly a law that may be difficult to enforce, but the bill’s sponsors say its main objective is to educate people about the importance of buckling in their kids.
The law was inspired in part by an accident that happened two and a half years ago involving an out-of-state legislator. The woman was driving with her adult son, who was in the back seat of the vehicle, changing his two children into pajamas. The man and his younger child, just 3 at the time, were not wearing seatbelts when their vehicle hit another vehicle carrying a family. The two were thrown out of the car, but they both survived.
According to the bill’s sponsors, it is not just intended to make a statement. Children who are in safety seats have a much better chance of surviving a serious car accident than kids who are not secured.
Source: Amarillo Globe-News, “Booster seat bill clears Senate, heads to governor,” Enrique Rangel, May 21, 2013
15511 W Highway 71
Suite 110-142
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 477-2001
512-477-3335
© 2024 by Colley Firm P.C All rights reserved.
