Media

Sheriff’s Office To Offer Community Education Event About New Child “Booster Seat” Law

Release Date: June 22, 2004

Children will soon be required to travel in booster seats specially designed for their safety. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will host an event this weekend to acquaint people with the new Tennessee law and offer instructions about the placement of booster seats.

“As of July 1, our deputies will join with other law enforcement agencies to enforce the new child restraint law. However, it’s vitally important that we first offer parents and guardians the opportunity to learn about the new law and most importantly, how to keep children safe while they’re being transported in vehicles,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

On Saturday June 26, the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Deputies will be at Wolfchase Galleria, 2760 North Germantown Parkway at Highway 64. Deputies will be at the mall from ten in the morning through Noon near the center of the mall and outside near the Sears store. They’ll have copies of the new state law and offer demonstrations to show how to properly install the booster seats.

Here’s a synopsis of the new state law:

• Children less than one year old, weighing 20 pounds or less, must be in a rear-facing seat in the back seat.

• Children one year old through age three, who weigh more than 20 pounds, need to be in a forward-facing seat in the back seat.

• Children four years old through eight years old, less than five feet tall, need to be in a seat belt-positioning booster seat in the back seat.

• Children nine years through 12 years old and who are taller than five feet tall must be in a seat belt and it’s recommended the seat be in the back of the vehicle.

• Teenagers 13 through 17 years must be belted in either the back or front seat.

Booster seats must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards and be used according to manufacturer’s instructions. Those who violate the new booster seat law face a $50 fine.

Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit will continually be available to answer questions and provide free booster seat inspections. For information call the Crime Prevention Unit at (901) 867-1401.

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