SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News)- A three year old is in critical condition after being ejected from a car during a rollover crash Saturday on I-215. UHP says the baby was in a booster seat when the accident happened. That is fanning the flames of a debate as a state representative tries to relax the requirements of child safety seats.
We’re hearing from both sides of the issue. UHP says the accident was southbound on 215 just south of the on ramp of 700 north. Troopers say the accident happened when another vehicle cut off the driver of a Ford car.
The driver tried to avoid a crash and swerved off the road hitting a utility pole and rolling over. UHP Sgt. Sheldon Riches said,” All individuals in the vehicle were seat belted, however, the 3-year old was in a booster seat instead of a car seat, and that's why she was ejected.”
Janet Brooks is the child advocacy manager for Primary Children's Medical Center. She says she's fighting against a bill that would relax requirements for some children in safety seats.
She's a proponent of parents using safety seats or booster seats. Brooks said,” Is it always convenient, no. But, if you're one of those parents who’s lost a child this law could mean everything.”
Under the proposal by Provo Representative Chris Herrod, the vehicle must be within four miles of where the child lives on a trip to church school or a recreational activity. It’s also prohibits cars from crossing streets with speeds limits over 45 miles per hour.
Herrod says there are times when booster seats are not available. Herrod said,” I would rather my child ride home with my neighbors and picking up their kids without a booster seat than have my son walk home alone.”
A house committee passed the bill 5-4. It now goes to the full house next week. The 3-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother were taken to Primary Children's. Their mother and 5-month old sibling were taken to University Hospital and their father was taken to IMC.
