Child Restraints in Vehicles

The Denver Post reported this week that a Colorado state senator visiting Texas caused a fatal accident on a highway in that state when her car veered into oncoming traffic. In her own car, however, it was reported that her passengers, a grown son and two small grandsons, were not wearing seat belts and were injured. This fact gained some attention because the legislator had in the past championed several seat belt and child restraint bills, including sponsoring last years’ SB10-110 which toughened child restraint laws. See this webpage from CDOT for information on child restraints and the new law.

So what are the laws regarding child restraints in vehicles? Our library has several informational publications that can help you. These include Child Restraint in Automobiles brochure from the CSU Extension, and CDOT’s brochure When Your World Rides with You: A Guide to Protecting Your Kids with Child Safety Seats and Seat Belts. The Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment conducted a study, Booster Seat Use Among Colorado Children, 2004 and 2005, also available from our library. We also have a number of older brochures on child restraint from CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, and the Colorado Dept. of Highways. For statistics on child motor vehicle injuries, see CDPHE’s publication Motor Vehicle Occupant Injuries for Colorado Children Ages 0 to 14.