On Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 3:30PM, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hear the Child Booster Seat Bill, SB 316, sponsored by Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne). This is the second committee that this bill faces in the Senate. It passed the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously last month.
Please contact your Florida Senator and ask him or her to support SB 316.
You may contact Sen. John Thrasher at (850) 487-5030.
Below, please find talking points that may be helpful for your call.
CLICK HERE if you would like to read the bill.
Thank you, in advance, for your advocacy today on behalf of your patients and family medicine.
Sincerely,
Tad Fisher
Executive Vice President
Florida Academy of Family Physicians
TALKING POINTS:
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Children 4 to 8 years of age are 4 times more likely to suffer head/brain injuries and 3 times more likely to suffer severe abdominal injuries when restrained only with a seat belt (current Florida law) vs. when they are restrained appropriately with a booster seat.
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Florida spends $6.5 million dollars per year in treating injuries due to auto accidents for children 4 to 8 years of age.
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Every booster seat purchased saves $1800 in medical bills, quality of life measures, time lost from work, etc. (Booster seats are not cost-prohibitive. An adequate booster seat can be purchased for as little as $30).
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Florida averages 22 automobile accident-related deaths per year for children 4 to 8 years of age.
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Booster seats are needed to prevent children, who have outgrown their car seats, from suffering brain, spinal cord, and internal abdominal injuries.
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Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and acquired disabilities in children between 4 to 8 years of age.
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47 States have a Booster Seat Law. It is time for Florida to show that children are our most valued asset by placing safety first.
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40% of children 4 to 8 years of age are not properly restrained in an automobile (i.e. restrained with either a car seat or booster seat).
