A state law takes effect Sunday, Jan. 1, toughening car safety rules for children.

Children under age 8 will be required to be ride in a child car seat or booster seat placed in the back seat. Children age 8 or even older who are not tall enough for a car’s seat belt to fit properly must ride in a child car seat or booster seat.

Until Sunday, the law requires children remain in a booster seat until age 6 or until they are 60 pounds.

“This is an important new law that will impact more than 1.1 million children in California,”  Christopher J. Murphy, director of the state Office of Traffic Safety, said in a statement. “Keeping them in booster seats increases their chance of surviving a crash by 45 percent.”

How do you know if your 8 year old is tall enough for a regular seat belt? OTS offers this checklist:

–They can sit against the car’s seat back with their knees bent without slouching and can comfortably stay in this position throughout a trip.

–The lap belt is low on the hips touching the upper thighs.

–The shoulder belt crosses the chest but is not on the face or neck. If a child puts the shoulder belt behind him, he still needs a booster.

A ticket for violating the new law is steep: At least $475 for each child not properly secured and a point on your driver’s record.

The new law was sponsored by state Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa.

For more information about car seats, the new law or help in determining if your child still needs a booster seat, call your local health department or visit the OTS web page on child safety by CLICKING HERE.

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