Child Passenger Safety Bill Passes Senate Hearing with 6-0 Vote

Phoenix, AZ, January 13, 2010. An effort that aims to close the loophole in Arizona’s current child passenger restraint law by adding protections for older child occupants took an important step forward today when it passed out of the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee with a 6-0 vote.

SB 1010 would require children age 9 and younger and less than 4’9” tall to sit in a booster seat, when riding in a motor vehicle, since the use of an adult safety belt will not properly protect them in the event of a crash. Arizona is currently one of three states without a law which properly protects child passengers over the age of five.

The measure has been long supported by the public and safety advocates alike. In fact, a recent AAA poll revealed that 76 percent of respondents are in favor of a booster seat law in Arizona.  In addition, 92 percent of respondents think that the state has an obligation to update child safety related laws when laws are proven to be out of date or are providing parents with the wrong information. 

“AAA Arizona wholeheartedly supports this legislation, which would give our state’s most precious cargo the protection they deserve,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “Until a child is 4’9” tall, the height of 95 percent of all 9 year olds, an adult seat belt is not designed to fit them properly.”

Under Arizona’s current child passenger law, parents and caregivers are able to transition children from a car seat to an adult seat belt at the age of 5. However, by following this guidance, they are unknowingly jeopardizing their child’s safety. Children using an adult seat belt without a booster seat can suffer from serious head, spine and abdominal injuries, slip out of the belt or even be ejected from the vehicle in the event of a crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the proper use of a safety seat can reduce a child’s fatality risk by up to 71 percent. Additional research by the agency indicates that using a booster seat with a seat belt as opposed to using a seat belt alone can reduce a child’s injury risk in a crash by up to 59 percent.

SB 1010 was introduced to Arizona’s 50th Legislature by Senator Linda Gray. The bill will continue to make its way through the Senate; if it passes out of the Senate, it will be sent to the House where it could finally become law. 

In an effort to keep Arizonans informed and engaged on SB 1010, as well as other transportation issues, AAA has a launched a new interactive web site, www.azlegislation.com.  Web site visitors will have the chance to stay abreast of issues that impact them, as well as engage in the debate with other online community members.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 “socially responsible” brand by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator.  

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