• 22
  • February
    2012

Two recent car accident tragedies resulted in an increased awareness and a renewed call for proper child safety seating in motor vehicles. Last week, two children aged three and seven were killed in separate Indianapolis auto accidents. Investigators are still working on what caused the accidents and believe impaired driving might have played a part in both. As of this posting, police have yet to arrest or charge a driver responsible for the accidents.

Police informed reporters that neither child was in a proper safety seat, which the law requires for children of their ages. Indiana code states, "A person who operates a motor vehicle in which there is a child less than eight (8) years of age who is not properly fastened and restrained according to the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions by a child restraint system commits a class D infraction." The law allows for a limited exception if a child has a medical or physical condition that impedes the use of a car seat.

Proper seating for children may include a belt positioning booster seat rather than a full restraining seat for children closer to age eight. The booster seat ensures proper positioning of the safety belt across the child's chest. Children and young teens between the ages of eight and 16 are required to use the seat belt at all times while in a moving vehicle.

Doehrman Chamberlain - Indianapolis accident attorneys