Latest news with #AssemblyTransportationCommittee
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
California bill would raise ages for booster seats, front seat passengers
A bill advancing in the California State Legislature could change how millions of children ride in vehicles. Last week, the Assembly Transportation Committee voted in favor of advancing AB 435, which would require all children under 10 to use booster seats and ban children under 13 from sitting in the front seat. Under current California law, kids must use booster seats until they are 8 years old or reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches. The bill's author, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), cited national statistics that show child injuries and fatalities in crashes have increased since the pandemic, and kids 8 to 12 are disproportionately affected. She argues that vehicle restraints and airbags are generally designed for adults. 'God forbid something happens; we want our children to be safe,' Wilson told the committee. In order to sit in the front seat, a child would need to pass a five-step test: The child must be seated all the way back against the car seat. The child's knees must bend comfortably over the edge of the seat. The shoulder belt fits snugly across the center of the child's chest and shoulder, not the neck. The lap belt sits as low as possible, touching the child's or ward's thighs. The child can remain seated in this position for the entire trip. In theory, this means shorter teens could be required to stay in the back seat until they can drive. Violations would carry a $20 ticket for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent violation. Wilson's bill has the backing of several influential public health and safety groups, including AAA, the Automobile Club of Southern California and Rady Children's Hospital. If the bill becomes law, it will take effect in 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
California bill would increase age to ride shotgun up to 16, remove height requirements
MODESTO – A California assembly bill is looking to limit teens' ability to ride shotgun by increasing the age to 16. The bill was advanced by the Assembly Transportation Committee last week. Right now in California, children 8 years old and over or at least 4'9" can ride in the passenger seat and remove the height requirement. "So the best thing to do to keep your child safe while riding in a vehicle matches what our law is," said Assemblymember Lori Wilson, the author behind Assembly Bill 435 . Wilson said the bill is about safety. "It really is to take into consideration all the varying types of seats that we sit on in the car," Wilson said. The height requirement would be replaced with a five-point test. This would mean making sure the child's back can touch the back of the seat comfortably and their knees are properly over the seat. Then the lower half of the seatbelt needs to touch the hips, not the stomach, and the shoulder strap needs to touch the chest, not the neck. And lastly, that the child can maintain this position without straining or slouching. "It's where the seatbelt sits," Wilson said. "And so some cars are equipped with adjustments for a seatbelt." Wilson said just because a child fails the test in one vehicle doesn't mean they won't pass it in another. However, the bill states that children 13 and under who fail the test need to use a booster seat. But Modesto Junior College students say the bill isn't adding up. "How is this properly enforceable? Unless we are going to start pulling people aside who look short," a student said. "I think it's strange," another student said. "Mostly because there are already all these protections to make sure minors are protected and get their licenses safe." "This is about safety," Wilson said. "This is about making sure that if something happens, you are safe, and I think that's the key thing that we're trying to drive home is that it is not about treating people like babies." Wilson said they may change the age to 13 years old instead of 16. But this bill still has a long way to go. The bill did pass out of the Assembly Transportation Committee and goes to appropriations next. But it's not clear yet when that will happen.
