According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, in the years 2006 through 2010, 64 children between the ages of 0–12 who were passengers in a vehicle died in traffic crashes in Colorado. Of those 64 children, 55% were not using a child safety seat or a seat belt, or else they were using one improperly. Personal injury lawyers know firsthand of the effects of such a tragedy on a family.
CPS Team Colorado consists of safety and transportation professionals. CPS (Child Passenger Safety) achieves its goals through a number of avenues, including education and training. Those involved include CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seat technicians, EMS professionals and hospitals. The National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children age 3–14 years old in the U.S. Ensuring that children are seated and secured in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats could cut injuries by more than half.
Despite the efforts of CDOT and CPS, there is still some confusion regarding the use of car seats in Denver. Accident lawyers and safety professionals want to make sure that the public understands the Booster Car Seat Laws which are now in effect. In August 2010, the new law was enacted, which requires that all children under age 8 to be properly protected in a child safety seat when traveling in a motor vehicle. The recent change in the law is that, effective August 1, 2011, the enforcement of the enhanced booster seat law went into effect. This kicked in after a one year long “education period” for booster seat violations. The law requires children up to the age of 8 must ride in a seat. It is recommended by safety experts, however, that children continue using boosters seats until they are 4’9” tall. There is now a minimum fine of $82 per violation of the booster seat law.
In order to help people comply with the law, there are certified child passenger safety technicians who inspect car seats. Additionally, National Child Passenger Safety Week was held from September 18 through September 24. The National Highway Transit Safety Administration even has Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator. It is our wish to keep children safer while they are riding in vehicles. But parents and caregivers also have to do their part by keeping children properly secured when they are riding in a car or other vehicle. Even if an accident was not a parent’s fault, in Colorado, personal injury lawyers will tell a client that it they have a responsibility to do all they can to ensure a child’s safety.
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