ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/ 1010 WINS) -- A new state law goes into effect today requiring that children under age 8 must be in a booster seat while riding in a car.
This adds a year to the existing child-restraint law, which allowed kids to graduate to an adult seatbelt on their seventh birthday.
Under the new law, all children must be in a booster seat until they're 8 years old or are at least 4-foot-9.
The reason for the change is that the shoulder harness in a car's safety restraint system often hugs the neck of a child rather than going across the chest like it's supposed to. This can lead to serious injury or death.
New York joins 21 other states that require booster seats up to age 8. Any driver who does not properly secure a child can be pulled over and can face a fine up to $100 and three points on the driving record.
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