Toddlers under 2 years of age must be transported exclusively in the rear seats of the car in a special child car seat according to the law adopted this week in new York. Such measures have been taken to combat the increased mortality rate among children during a crash.
Exceptions in the new law is also provided. If the child meets certain requirements for height and weight, he will be able to go on the front passenger seat of a car.
State law currently has no age restrictions for carriage the child in the front seat.
The new law is fully consistent with the recommendations given by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Doctors claim that the child seat is helping to support a disproportionately large head of the child and prevent during sudden braking or accident, its movement relative to the neck, which in turn reduces the risk of fractures.
Statistics provided by scientists from the University of Virginia shows that children under the age of 2 years is 75% more often suffer from injuries if the accident they were on the front seat.
If the bill is signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, it will take effect from 1 November 2019.
«Parents and drivers will have enough time to learn about the changes and take the appropriate steps to purchase a special seat,» — said in the explanatory note to the bill.
