131ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Measures to improve
passenger safety pass NYS Assembly

To keep New York roadways safe for motorists and children, Assemblymember Susan John (D-Rochester) announced the passage of legislation designed to improve young driver and child safety seat laws.

Teen drivers are four times more likely to be in an auto accident than all other age groups combined. To prevent tragedies involving young drivers, John sponsored legislation issuing drivers under 18 a graduated license - slowly incrementing their full driving privileges based upon a clean drivers' record (A3512a).

John also sponsored legislation prohibiting anyone from operating a car or truck with a child under the age of seven in the front seat.

According to Dr. Heather Paul, Executive Director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, "Motor Vehicles are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children under 14 years old, and when used correctly, car seats and safety belts can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent."

John supported legislation that permits children under the age of four and weighing over 40 pounds to ride in booster seats rather than child safety seats. "In order for safety seats to work, they must be used appropriately and according to the child's weight," John said.

The National Traffic Safety Admin-istration found that four out of five car seats are used incorrectly - and that at least 84 children have already been killed by passenger air bags. To make sure people understand how to use these safety devices, John sponsored a bill that would require labeling child seats to alert purchasers to potential problems with compatibility between the child seat and cars. Another bill would create a public outreach program to educate New Yorkers about child safety seat and seat belt use and installation - as well as how to protect themselves and their children from the risks associated with air bags.

John says she remains committed to protecting children and making their safety a top priority, including sponsoring a critical school bus safety law that makes it illegal to operate a school bus with any passengers standing.