New Child Seat Safety Recommmendations

The American Association of Pediatrics has updated child seat recommendations.  If you haven't taken a look in the last few months, some things have changed. Get familiar with the new guidelines and please share with your friends who are parents and caregivers.

1. Rear facing baby seat until age two and a weight of at least 20 pounds. That is both of those, not one.
2. Forward facing toddler seat (five-point restraint belt) until age four and a weight of at least 40 pounds.
3. Make sure your child isn't above the height limit for that brand; you may need a different brand.
4. Drive your installed infant or toddler center (minus the child) to your local fire or police dept for a safety check.

Booster seats protect kids in two ways. First of all, they provide back and neck support in a crash. Even more importantly, they make the seat belt fit correctly so that the bones and organs inside the body are restrained. Here the issue is height and age.

1. Backless booster depends on the car, as well as the child:

• Car: has seat and/or head rest that is taller than your child
• Child: tall enough that (even when slouching) the shoulder strap of the seat belt hits her shoulder and never her neck or throat.

2. Out of a booster and into just a lap/shoulder seat belt:

• Lower age limit: eight years old and
• Height: when your child is 4 feet 9 inches tall.

3. Sitting in the front seat:

• Lower age limit: 13 years old and
• Height: At least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

New Laws For Truckers on the Highways

Imagine the danger of trying to talk on a cell phone while trying to drive 18 wheeler.  This month state troopers started enforcing a new federal law banning truckers from using a hand held cell phone.  They can use a hands free device, but must be able to answer the phone in a single touch.

A federal motor safety agency says truck drivers who reach for cell phones are three times more likely to be involved in a crash. Drivers could face fines of up to nearly $2,800 if they're found violating the ban. Truckers also say they could get fired if they're caught breaking the new cell phone law.

Personal Injury Attorney, Dré Fleury adds, "This move represents a step in the right direction for the safety of the general public. Combined with recent stricter laws against texting while driving, this will hopefully have the net effect of preventing more deaths and serious injuries."

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Founded in 1989, Crumley Roberts, LLP, represents individuals with personal injury, workers' compensationand Social Security disability claims. The firm operates from 14 offices in North Carolina and South Carolina. To learn more about the firm, or its community relations activities, visit www.crumleyroberts.com or stay connected on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
 

New Law Requires NC Teens to Log Drive Time

Starting January 1, 2012, a state law requires teens to turn in a log of their driving time before they can move up to the next level of the graduated licensing system. Teenagers with a learner's permit to have signed logs showing they drove 60 hours with an adult driver. Novice drivers then will need 12 more hours over the next six months to qualify for a full license.

The law; however doesn't apply to persons over 18 seeking a license for the first time.  For more information, click here.

Make sure to stress the importance of safe driving with your teens. There are a lot of perils on North Carolina roads and highways - distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and inexperienced drivers. For questions or to stay on top of North Carolina road safety updates, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

New Law Affects NC Teen Drivers on Jan. 1, 2012

According to reports from MyFoxNews 8, starting January 1st, a new law aimed at North Carolina teen drivers will mean that they can either be arrested or have their licenses taken away depending on the infraction.  For teens under 18 with provisional licences, it will also restrict when they can drive.

For teens driving in excess of 80mph or 15 miles over the limit, this would lead to arrest and it would be up to the judge's discretion on whether their licences would be taken away for 30 days.

There are a lot of perils on North Carolina roads and highways - distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and inexperienced drivers. Make sure to stress the importance of safe driving with your teens - especially during the holidays. The staff of Crumley Roberts wishes you a safe and happy New Year.

Changes to Infants’ Acetaminophen

According to a Dec. 9th memo from the Carolinas Poison Center, there have been industry-wide changes to infants acetaminophen.  The dosage as well as packaging have changed.  Please take a minute to get familiar with the new information and share with parents, caregivers and other childcare professionals.