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Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Health Promotion & Outreach School Health News - Fall 2004

Changes to Nebraska’s Child Passenger Safety Law

Beginning July 16, all children up to age 18 will be prohibited from riding in or on any part of a vehicle not intended for passengers. “This new law, which prohibits children from riding in or on any cargo area of a vehicle, is a primary law, meaning the driver can be ticketed and fined solely for this violation,” said Jeanne Bietz, Nebraska SAFE KIDS Coordinator for the Nebraska Health and Human Services System. “We see children in urban and rural areas of our state riding in the back of pickup trucks. This is very unsafe and possibly deadly.” The only exemptions to this law include riding in a parade or exhibition.

Current state law requires all children up to age six to be properly restrained in a child safety seat and children ages 6 to 18 to use a safety belt. Parents and care givers must realize that some children still need to use a child safety seat such as a booster seat past age six in order to be transported safely. Use this five-step test by Safety Belt Safe U.S.A. to determine if a booster seat is needed:

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Is the lap belt on the tops of the thighs?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and the chest?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the WHOLE trip?

For more information about transporting children safely or the law, contact the Nebraska Health and Human Services SAFE KIDS Program at 402-471-8749 or go to www.hhs.state.ne.us and search for “safe kids.”

CONTACTS:
Jeanne M. Bietz, Preventive & Community Health, (402) 471-8749,
jeanne.bietz@hhss.state.ne.us
Bill Wiley, Communications & Legislative Services, (402) 471-6585,
bill.wiley@hhss.state.ne.us

InterLinc City of Lincoln Departments Category Location Health Health Promotions & Outreach School Health News Fall 2004