Abstract
New federal legislation is in place which will require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to create standards for child restraints and booster seats for children weighing more than 50 pounds. Due by July 2005, the requirements will also direct NHTSA to establish rules requiring lap and shoulder belts for each rear seating position. In addition, integrated or built-in child restraints and booster seats will be subjected to analyses regarding their merits, cost effectiveness, and ease of use. Although the new law was originally introduced with a provision to promote state booster seat laws as well, the final version of the legislation affected only federal booster seat laws.