In 2002, John Creeks resident Jenny Harty was traveling with her husband and two small children when their car was struck by an SUV in rural Georgia. She told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “a logging truck ran the stop sign, ignored the rumble strips and hit the tail end of [an oncoming] SUV. And the SUV lost control, hit us and literally shaved off the left side of our van.” Nobody was killed in the accident, but six-year-old Abby Harty was injured and five-year-old Madison Harty needed five surgeries to repair her arm. According to reports, the children’s booster seats “absolutely” saved their lives.
Since that the accident, Jenny Hart has been a staunch advocate for tougher child passenger safety laws in Georgia. She became a car seat technician and has worked with Georgia legislators to get new safety measures passed. Her efforts – and the efforts of like-minded safety advocates – have largely been successful. Georgia used to have somewhat lax child passenger safety laws, but now has laws requiring the use of child seats that are in-line with federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards.
Just like the Georgia law requiring drivers and front seat passengers to wear a seat belt, the law requiring children to be secured in car seats or booster seats is intended to save lives in the event of an auto accident.
Georgia Child Passenger Safety Law
Under Title 40 Chapter 8 Section 76 of the Official Code of Georgia, children under the age of 8 years old are required to sit in a car seat or booster seat. These car or booster seats must be secured in the rear seat, but appropriate for the child’s height and weight, and meet all U.S. federal standards. However, there is an exemption for children under 8 that have a height of over 4’9”.
The precise requirements of the Georgia car seat laws are as follows:
• Children under the age of 4 and under 20 lbs must be in a rear-facing car seat.
• Once a child is over the age of 1 and weighs over 20 lbs, they must be placed in a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat.
• Children aged 4-7 must be placed in a rear or forward facing car seat if they weigh less than 40 lbs.
• Children aged 4-7 that weigh more than 40 lbs must be placed in a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat plus lap and shoulder belt.
The Georgia Office of Highway Safety also recommends that children remain in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly in a seat belt.
For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and serves clients throughout the State of Georgia. If you would like more information about Georgia’s child safety passenger laws or if you have been in an accident and would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA to schedule a free personal injury consultation today.
