ATLANTA — Starting July 1, children up to 8 years old will have to ride in a child safety seat.
Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Monday a bill requiring children up to the age of 8 to ride in those safety seats, or their parents could face fines.
"All the statistics indicate 7- and 8-year-olds in child protection devices is critical to reduce dangerous injuries and death to young children," Gov. Deal told Channel 2's Richard Elliot.
Deal signed the bill at a special ceremony at Children's Heath Care of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. He was joined by legislators, medical experts and first responders.
"The evidence is incontrovertible," said CHOA's David Tatum. "If a child is properly restrained in a car booster seat, he's many times more likely to survive an automobile crash and not be killed or injured."
The law does exempt children standing taller than 4'9", weighing more than 40 pounds, or possessing an excuse from a doctor stating the child cannot ride in a booster seat.
WSBTV
