On August 2, Arizona will become the 48th state to have what is referred to as a booster law. Why call it a booster law? Because this law will now include children in the age group where a booster seat is most likely the appropriate child restraint for them to use. Currently, the law in Arizona states that children need to be in a child restraint until the age of 5. The new law, taking effect on August 2, now adds that children between the age of 5 and 7, that are under a height of 4’10”, will need to be in a child restraint.
However, you know that saying that age is just a number? Well, when it comes to boosters, age, height, and weight are just numbers. The best way to know if your child should still use a booster seat is the 5 Step Test from SafetyBeltSafe USA:
The 5-Step Test
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answered no to any of those questions, your child still needs a booster seat. Boosters help make sure the seat belt goes across the strongest parts of your child’s body for better protection in a crash. They are relatively inexpensive, most backless boosters are $20 or less.
Do you live in another state or will be travelling through another state, and are unsure of the child restraint laws there? Click here to see a summary of the laws in each state.
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