Posted on: Tuesday, June 5, 2001

Drive Time
Booster seats hot topic around town

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Few measures promoting traffic safety were approved by the most-recent session of the Legislature and one bill — requiring car booster seats for children 8 and younger — is in danger of being vetoed.

One legislator gives his colleagues "below average" marks for traffic safety this session.

"We could have done a much better job in that area," said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Cal Kawamoto, D-19th, (Waipahu-Pearl City). "That, and looking at long-term solutions in better getting around."

Two bills from Kawamoto's committee that would have restricted late-night driving among teens and created a pedestrian "Bill of Rights" died in session. House Bill 135, which would require booster safety seats for children 8 and younger and weighing less than 80 pounds, did pass the Legislature.

But Gov. Ben Cayetano has hinted twice in the past month that he may veto the booster seat bill, saying it would be an economic strain for families with many children.

But supporters of the bill believe it will place a small child in a more secure position behind a seat belt. Last year, Washington state was the first to enact a law mandating the use of booster seats for older children when a 4-year-old boy died after being thrown from a vehicle when his body slid out of his seat belt.

The governor has until June 25 to veto the bill. If he doesn't, it automatically becomes law. Whether it becomes law or not, it has parents talking about the issue, as well as scrambling for good deals on the seats.

Q. If the bill does become law, when would it take effect?

A. Jan. 1, 2002.

Q. Any exceptions to the proposed law?

A. If a motor vehicle is equipped only with lap belts in the rear seat, children over 60 pounds are exempted from riding in a booster seat.

Q. Does a child more than 8 years old but under 80 pounds still need a booster seat?

A. No, Kawamoto said. "We set the age limit at 8, because most kids have reached a certain height where they are properly secured behind the seat belt."

Q. How much do booster seats cost?

A. The very basic models are between $30 and $45. In addition, a one-time $25 state tax credit is available for those who purchase the seats.

All three major Ford dealerships on O'ahu ran out of coupons for free booster car seats weeks ago that were redeemable at Toys "R" Us.

Q. What options are there for families that are financially strapped?

A. Through a Ford grant, United Way will distribute 500,000 booster seats nationwide through participating United Way agencies to prescreened families who meet the agency's low-income criteria. Aloha United Way officials said they are expecting their share of the free seats by the end of the year.

For information on booster seats, call the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition car seat hotline at 538-3334 or 1-800-868-7300, or the Department of Transportation at 587-6301.

Scott Ishikawa writes about transportation issues. You can call him at 525-8070 , write him at The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802 or e-mail sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.