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41 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 1, 2003 Cop’s Corner Forgetting booster seat can mean $94 fine I wanted to respond to the Nov. 6 article about children’s booster seats. Although many parents use booster seats because they are concerned about their children’s welfare, many more would use them if they were aware that they could be fined for not doing so. For so many, a slap in the wallet is the most effective learning device. Just what is the fine for not using a proper child car seat/booster seat? — Susan G., Medford Thanks for your response Susan. I find that, like you, most parents are concerned about their children’s welfare, and that very few children are just bouncing up and down on the seats and not secured at all. However, there are some issues that the public in general could use some more education on, so I’m glad you asked this question. First, even though the booster seat law is relatively new, being only a couple years old, I think most people are aware of it. To summarize in a sentence, children who are either under 6 years old or under 60 pounds must be in a properly secured child safety seat or booster seat. A lot of people think if their child is 6 or older then they don’t have to be in a booster seat. Advertisement However they must still meet the weight criteria of being more than 60 pounds to legally be out of the booster seat. I think the more important issue is that even though child seats and booster seats are being used, they are being used improperly. In this county the misuse rate is more than 95 percent. That’s why I’m a big proponent of getting your child seat checked at the free safety seat clinics or making an appointment at most any fire department to have them checked. To answer your question, the bail for not using a child seat or booster seat when required is the same as when an adult gets a ticket for not using a safety belt — that’s $94. Ouch! That’s why I’m glad this county has access to a safety belt diversion program. The message on seat belt and child seat use gets delivered and those mandated to be there get a cost break and nothing goes on their driver’s license. Dace Cochran, a patrol sergeant with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, writes a weekly Q&A column on police issues for the Mail Tribune. Have a question for him? Write to Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times