by Leonard Gray-Staff Writer

LAPLACE – New seat belt laws dealing with child safety seats went into effect Jan. 1, requiring stricter standards to protect children.

Trooper First Class Matt Trahan of Louisiana State Police Troop C said the old law stated: “the child (be) properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in an age or size appropriate passenger restraint system.”

The old law added that children 3 or under could be restrained in a “lap belt or safety belt in a rear seat.”

As of Jan. 1, the revised law states: “… every driver in this state who transports a child or children under the age of 13 years in a motor vehicle which is equipped with safety belts shall have the child properly secured as follows:

€ A child who is younger than 1 year of age or weighs less than 20 pounds shall be restrained in a rear-facing child safety seat.

€ A child who is younger than 1 year of age but younger than 4 years of age or who weighs at least 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds shall be restrained in a forward-facing child safety seat.

€ A child who is at least 4 years of age but younger than 6 years of age or who weighs at least 40 pounds but not more than 60 pounds shall be restrained in a child booster seat. The requirements of this subparagraph shall not apply in any seating position where there is only a lap belt available and the child weighs more than 40 pounds.

€ A child who is at least 6 years of age or weighs more than 60 pounds shall be restained with the motor vehicle’s safety belt adjusted and fastened around the child’s body or in an appropriately fitting child booster seat in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety or the child booster seat.”

Troop C Commander Capt. Ralph Mitchell Jr. commented, “These laws are designed to keep our children as safe as they can while traveling in a motor vehicle.”

Mitchell added: “It is our duty and obligation as parents and caregivers to afford our children the safest environment we possibly can. The best way to protect our children while traveling in a motor vehicle is to buckle them in an age-appropriate and size-appropriate child safety seat every time they ride in a vehice.”

Troop C is scheduling appointments to have car seat checkups and installations, free of charge. To schedule an appointment, call Trahan or Trooper First Class Kevin Marcel at (985) 857-3680.