I normally don't complain here but this is a little ridiculous...

[SintonFan]

Senate approves bill mandating booster seats up to age 8

By LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON
Associated Press Writer
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AUSTIN (AP) -- Children under age 8 will have to be secured in a booster seat when riding in a passenger vehicle under legislation approved on Wednesday by the Texas Senate.

Current law requires booster seats for children under 5 and less than 3 feet tall. The bill approved Wednesday would raise the height requirement to 4 feet 9 inches and put Texas law in line with federal guidelines.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, the bill's sponsor, said seat belts do not fit children properly and can injure or kill them in an accident. But parents may not realize how important booster seats are because they're not required by law to use them, the Laredo Democrat said.

"It truly is a life or death issue for these children," she said.

Starting in June 2008, people who don't follow the law would face a $25 fine, which would be used to buy booster seats for low-income families. Until then, police officers would only issue warnings.

The bill, approved by a 26-4 vote, now goes to the Texas House. About 40 other states already require parents to follow the age and height requirements in the bill.

Sen. Dan Patrick, a Republican from Houston, opposed the measure because it only applies to families that drive cars with both lap and shoulder seat belts. Booster seats cannot be used with lap belts only, such as those found in older cars.

"It looks like selective enforcement of the law," he said. "It always concerns me that some people are picked out as winners and losers."

He also asked whether it was a step toward forcing short adults to use booster seats or requiring children to wear life jackets when they're near water.

"How far does government go into the lives of our citizens?" he asked.

Zaffirini said she would not sponsor a bill requiring booster seats for adults because they are capable of making their own decisions.

During a February hearing on the bill, a pediatric surgeon from Children's Hospital of Austin told senators that he treats many youngsters with traumatic neck, brain and spinal cord injuries caused by seat belts.

"When I walk back in the room to visit with families and talk to them about what's happened to their child, they say almost to the person 'I was doing what I thought was right.'"

Jeannie Wells, a firefighter from Fort Worth, told the panel that her children ages 6, 7 and 9 almost died last Thanksgiving when a semitrailer ran them off the road. She said she strapped them into car seats as long as the law required but didn't know to use a booster seat.

"I had to pull my daughter and my son out of the car with ... no breath coming out of them because of a $15 booster seat that they weren't in because I didn't know," she said.

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The booster seat bill is SB60.
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Ok, I know this might save a few lives or keep a few kids from injury but why not just make an accessory that joins the hip and shoulder restraint closer to the child? How far will the government go to protect us from ourselves?:thinking: :(
On the flip side:
If they were serious about the law why the ticky tack $25 fine?
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Does this sound "Orwellian" to any of you?:eek:

[kaorder1999]

the governement and the booster seat makers got together on this one!!! Think of how much money they will make!!!!

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by kaorder1999
the governement and the booster seat makers got together on this one!!! Think of how much money they will make!!!!
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lol
Seriously, should we check to see if the Bill's author has stock in a plastics company? I'd hope not.:mad:

[piratebg]

Booster seats aren't that much safer anyway and he's fixing to turn 5 in two weeks. I really don't want to go out and by a freakin booster seat for his birthday. :mad:

[JasperDog94]

Help Big Brother. Save us from ourselves!!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by SintonFan
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lol
Seriously, should we check to see if the Bill's author has stock in a plastics company? I'd hope not.:mad: In politics, follow the money.

[Ranger Mom]

What about adults that are under 4'9"??

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
In politics, follow the money.
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I don't have any disillusions about that at all, but heck, why turn into law what is already a national guideline?:nerd:

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
What about adults that are under 4'9"??
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For now, they don't have to use them. For now...:doh:

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
What about adults that are under 4'9"?? "It's for the children":rolleyes:

[Old Tiger]

8 year old would place them at about 3-4th grade

[Angeleyes]

"The bill approved Wednesday would raise the height requirement to 4 feet 9 inches and put Texas law in line with federal guidelines."


a few more inches and i might have had to get a booster seat...lol how would i have explained that one?
i've come to terms with my height recently...Life is short and so am I.

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
"It's for the children":rolleyes:

I didn't read the whole article I guess and I have a friend who is 4' 7".

Thanks for the little eye rolling thing though!

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
I didn't read the whole article I guess and I have a friend who is 4' 7".

Thanks for the little eye rolling thing though! Anything I can do to help.;)

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by JasperDog94
Anything I can do to help.;)

Please don't!:hand:

[pirate4state]

wow I have a great idea - no kids allowed in cars! problem solved :D

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by pirate4state
wow I have a great idea - no kids allowed in cars! problem solved :D

Remember back in the day when there were no seatbelt or car seat laws??

We bounced around like a bunch of monkeys in a vehicle!

[Snyder_TigerFan]

These kind of laws piss me off.

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
Remember back in the day when there were no seatbelt or car seat laws??

We bounced around like a bunch of monkeys in a vehicle!

Heck I remember riding around in the bed of the truck. :eek: :eek:

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
Remember back in the day when there were no seatbelt or car seat laws??

We bounced around like a bunch of monkeys in a vehicle!
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Maybe a new law that requires folks to change their shock absorbers regularly might help?:thinking:

[DU_stud04]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
What about adults that are under 4'9"?? wondering the same thing.

[SintonFan]

I found this interesting:
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What we can do as individuals to begin regaining our freedom
Posted in Socio-Political, Best Of LWilliamLosapio by LibiddyBill on the October 14th, 2006

Many people ask “okay, so what can do about it?” Let me tell, you the answer does not include “Vote!” I agree with the quote that “if voting really changed anything it would be illegal.” So I’ve got some other ideas on what we each can do.
# Stop asking the government to fix society’s ills — it created them, and benefits from them.
# Stop asking government to protect you or others from bad things like porn or gambling. These are simply opportunities to pass more Orwellian laws that restrict the freedoms of ordinary people. How many more examples do we need of government NOT doing what we expected or wanted, and DOING exactly what we DIDN’T want them to do? Do you think it will be different for your pet passion?
# Stop asking unions to protect you from your management.
# Stop asking for more laws.
# Ignore all politicians (with one exception: Dr. Ron Paul).
# When legislation is proposed, passed, or discussed, assume that the purpose and ultimate use of the law is the OPPOSITE of it’s title.
# Exercise your fundamental human right to keep and bear arms. At the very least, defend this right on your neighbor’s behalf. You may not like guns or want them in your house, and that is your prerogative. But know this: you are safer because your neighbors are armed.

from http://www.lwilliamlosapio.com/?p=72

[smustangs]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
What about adults that are under 4'9"??

megan you there? HAHA sry i coudlnt resist

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by smustangs
megan you there? HAHA sry i coudlnt resist

She was actually who I was thinking of when I stated my question earlier!:)

[smustangs]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
She was actually who I was thinking of when I stated my question earlier!:)

haha good deal at least were all on the same page

[CHS_CG]

Originally posted by smustangs
haha good deal at least were all on the same page


yup bc i was thinkin about her too!

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by smustangs
megan you there? HAHA sry i coudlnt resist
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How old is Megan? The bill is intended for those under 9 years of age. For now, that is.:doh:

[CHS_CG]

Originally posted by SintonFan
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How old is Megan? The bill is intended for those under 9 years of age. For now, that is.:doh:


shes 17or 18... but shes a tiny one

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by CHS_CG
shes 17or 18... but shes a tiny one
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She's safe. For now.

[smustangs]

Originally posted by CHS_CG
shes 17or 18... but shes a tiny one

haha i like how you put that

[Keith7]

put the kids in the trunk, and then there is no way they are going thru the windsheild

[CHS_CG]

Originally posted by Keith7
put the kids in the trunk, and then there is no way they are going thru the windsheild

thats fine till u get rear ended

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by Keith7
put the kids in the trunk, and then there is no way they are going thru the windsheild
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It's good to see you vote "no" Keith. lol

[smustangs]

Originally posted by Keith7
put the kids in the trunk, and then there is no way they are going thru the windsheild

haha man thats harsh but so dang funny something about it is hilarious

[DU_stud04]

keep all females and asian off the road, that'll do it ;)

[SintonFan]

I wonder what Blasto or the G-man might have to say about this?:thinking:

[Keith7]

Originally posted by SintonFan
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It's good to see you vote "no" Keith. lol

hey I thought I was voting anonymously

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by Keith7
hey I thought I was voting anonymously
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Yes, but the only "no" vote came when you posted.:D

[stangGirl2007]

Originally posted by smustangs
megan you there? HAHA sry i coudlnt resist

Thanks y'all! I appreciate the love:( :mad:





:p






No but really I was thinking about that the other day. I saw a billboard on the way to Harlingen that said 4'9" is the magic number. If the changed the law I could just pciture myself.. driving down the road in a car seat:eek: Though I tried sitting in one the other day and even I had a hard time getting out:(

[bhtrainer]

Originally posted by stangGirl2007
Thanks y'all! I appreciate the love:( :mad:





:p






No but really I was thinking about that the other day. I saw a billboard on the way to Harlingen that said 4'9" is the magic number. If the changed the law I could just pciture myself.. driving down the road in a car seat:eek: Though I tried sitting in one the other day and even I had a hard time getting out:(


how tall are you?

[stangGirl2007]

Originally posted by bhtrainer
how tall are you?

Well Kellye said I was 4'7" in her post but I think I might be a little more at 4'8". I like to think of myself as 6'9" though:evillol:

[smustangs]

Originally posted by stangGirl2007
Well Kellye said I was 4'7" in her post but I think I might be a little more at 4'8". I like to think of myself as 6'9" though:evillol:

she has a severe case of little big man syndrome

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by Keith7
put the kids in the trunk, and then there is no way they are going thru the windsheild LMAO! I still think my idea is the best one! NO KIDS ALLOWED IN THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by stangGirl2007
Well Kellye said I was 4'7" in her post but I think I might be a little more at 4'8". I like to think of myself as 6'9" though:evillol:

It looked so funny when we were at Texas Stadium and it was you, then me, then Jason the giant.

[stangGirl2007]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
It looked so funny when we were at Texas Stadium and it was you, then me, then Jason the giant.

Are you making fun on me??:mad: :mad:













;)

[crzyjournalist03]

seriously, booster seats? Why not just make smaller seat belts???

[stangGirl2007]

Originally posted by crzyjournalist03
seriously, booster seats? Why not just make smaller seat belts???

I don't understand the problem of why someone my height can't sit in the car without a booster.

Smaller seat belts....? I didn't know they were too big for people my height in the first place:confused:

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by stangGirl2007
Are you making fun on me??:mad: :mad:

;)

No way......I'm making fun of Jason!:D

[stangGirl2007]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
No way......I'm making fun of Jason!:D

haha sure:rolleyes:

[Old Tiger]

your so short that your just short!

[stangGirl2007]

Originally posted by Tiger WR
your so short that your just short!

:eek: :eek: :eek::mad: :mad:

[stangGirl2007]

Ok I just had to bring this up becuase of a billboard I saw the other day.:(

It said "big kids need a boost too. 4'9" is the magic number":eek: :tongue:

How old would you have to be when you are no longer considered a "big kid"?

I don't want a booster