(AUSTIN) — Texas PTA, the largest child advocacy organization in Texas, applauds Senator Judith Zaffirini who accomplished this session what she has worked toward for the last 6+ years. With her help Texas PTA accomplish a major legislative agenda – a law to make booster seats mandatory for children younger than 8 years of age or shorter than 4’9”.

Safety experts, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, recommend children use booster seats until they can fit safely into an adult seat belt. Texas is one of only 5 states that had not revised their child passenger safety law until Rep. Vaught successfully did so. Nothing kills more children than car crashes. Safety seats, including booster seats, are very effective in reducing injury and preventing child death in crashes.

“Texas PTA applauds the commitment Senator Zaffirini has made to the effort to revise Texas’ child transport laws. She refused to give up and was committed to passing comprehensive legislation that will ensure the safety of the children of Texas. Our primary goal in seeking this legislation is to protect children, and Sen. Zaffirini helped us to accomplish that goal,” said Texas PTA President Jan Wilkerson.

Booster seat laws raise booster seat use by 40% and their use reduces the risk by 59% of severe head, spinal cord and internal organ injuries sustained when children are restrained in an adult seat belt before they are physically big enough to safely use them.

“I am proud to have worked on this important piece of legislation and thankful for the lives that will be saved as a result of its implementation,” said Sen. Zaffirni.

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