As of July 1, 2011, lawmakers decided to rejoin the 49 other states with a primary child safety restraint law. Law enforcement officers can now stop a vehicle if they see small children who aren’t in safety seats. Officers can stop a vehicle without any other reason, if your child is not properly restrained under six years of age or less than 60 lbs. This is considered a primary offense. Those who are in violation of the law can be fined up to $100, but there is a clause to this law that says if a person can prove that they have purchased an appropriate child restraint within a week of being ticketed, the citation will be dismissed.
For those who can’t afford to buy the correct car seat or booster seat for their child, they can come to the Richland County Health Department or call 406-433-2207 to set up an appointment to get a car seat. The Richland County Health Department will also check your child’s car seat or booster seat to make sure your child is safe.
Just remember that it is important to consistently use car seats from the time you take your child home from the hospital. If that’s all they’ve ever known the child will never know the difference. If everyone buckles up in the vehicle it just becomes a habit for everyone young and old. So be a good role model and wear a seat belt yourself!
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