August 2012
It’s that time of year again. Our kids are going back to school. That means you’ll be driving them to school and sporting events, and more kids will be out and about. So now is the time to brush up on some traffic rules, and law changes. Do You Know About the New Booster Seat Law? As of August 2, 2012, children between the ages of 5 and 8, if they are not taller than 4 feet 9 inches tall, MUST be properly restrained in a child booster seat. If you fail to install a booster seat for your children who do not meet this height requirement, you will face a $50 fine. The State passed this law because studies have shown that seat belts fit poorly on children thereby increasing the risk of injury to the soft and vulnerable parts of their bodies. The booster seat raises children up so that the seat belt fits them properly. Booster seats can be purchased for approximately $50 or less. Let’s keep our kids safe! School Crossings – Make Sure You SLOW Down Although it might be tempting to drive a little faster than the posted speed limit in a school crossing area . . . don’t do it! First, those reduced speeds are there for the safety of not only our children, but also the volunteer adults who make sure our kids get across the street safely. Second, if you are even one mile an hour over the posted speed limit, you can be cited and face a fine that is doubled because you are in a school zone! You may also receive a ticket for continuing to drive before people are completely out of the crosswalk (even if they are not blocking your lane) and passing another car, even if they are going very slow. Watch Out for Those Commuter Lanes We’ve all been there. You’re late for work or to pick up the kids. That commuter lane sure looks tempting doesn’t it? Don’t do it!
Although you might save a few minutes, if you get caught you will face a $200 fine. And practically speaking, the time you spend sitting on the side of the road waiting for the police officer to write your ticket is going to far surpass any time you might have saved.
