New Booster Seat Law Takes Effect Jan. 1

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – Children, ages 4 and 5, who were looking forward to getting out of that safety seat in the car will have to wait a little longer.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles said children ages 4 and 5 will, as of January 1^st, will be required to sit in a child safety seat or booster seat rather than only using a seatbelt.

Executive Director Terry Rhodes says that while seat belts save lives, booster seats elevate children to the height at which safety belts will properly secure them. After age 5, children are ready to wear seatbelts with a booster seat if they are at least 4-foot-9 and can sit all the way back and bend their knees at the edge of the seat.

In 2013, five children were killed as a result of improper or no child restraint use.

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