According to Dr. Nancy Silva, who's a board certified pediatrician in Brandon,FL, , the State of Florida is in serious need of motor vehicle laws which enforce the use of booster seats. The following is an excerpt from Dr. Silva's article, posted in the Lakeland Ledger:
"Jane and John Doe had suffered severe injuries in a motor vehicle accident. It was my final year of pediatric residency. Jane was a 7-year-old whose entire right face was permanently severely scarred; her eyebrow was hanging and half missing. Her brother, John, was a toddler who had a huge laceration across his forehead which cut straight through, exposing his scalp. Their lives are forever changed. Why? They were not using a booster seat or a car seat. Their father didn't know any better, but we do" according to Dr. Silva.
According to Dr. Silva,"it should be a no-brainer. that it should be a no-brainer. We should have a Booster Seat Law. Florida is only one of three states without one. There clearly is not a priority on our children's lives. What's worse is that our very own State Representative Dave Murzin in Pensacola is blocking the bill from moving forward, all in the name of personal freedom."
"Our children need our help. They do not have a voice to ask for protection. Many parents follow the current law, thinking it is enough. We need a Booster Seat Law to protect and to educate. Children are at risk if they don't use a booster seat until 8 years old and 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and acquired disabilities in children 4 years old to 8 years old. Children are more likely to have brain, spinal cord and abdominal injuries from a motor vehicle accident. In Florida, 40 percent of children 4 years old to 8 years old do not use a booster seat or car seat." According to Dr. Nancy Silva.
Dr. Silva states that as a result, every year in Florida, more than 4,000 children get injured and more than 20 die. It's staggering!, she states.
According to Dr. Nancy Silva, Floridians loose $1,800 for every child that does not use a booster seat. Florida spends $6.5 million per year in treating injuries because of auto accidents for these children. That's money that we taxpayers cannot afford to lose, especially in this economy.
The Booster Seat Bill has moved quickly in the Florida Senate with much support. However, HB 387 has yet to be heard in the House because of Rep. Murzin's objection to it, according to Dr. Silva.
According to About.com: Baby Products, Florida state law requires children under age 5 to be protected with an approved and properly used child restraint device. For children under 3, Florida law requires that they be in a separate car seat or a car seat that is integrated into the vehicle. For children ages 4 and 5, a separate car seat, integrated car seat or seat belt may be used.
