Karl Heideck, a lawyer who specializes in litigation, compliance, and risk management, proudly serves the greater Philadelphia area. Besides product liability, he has vast experience in corporate law, employment issues, and commercial litigation. A graduate from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University, Karl offers his clients risk management advising and compliance consulting services. For over a decade, Heideck has worked for a variety of firms, including . This experience has helped him hone his skills and gain the knowledge that is necessary to deal with complicated legal matters.
While not in the courtroom or spending time with his clients, Karl Heideck writes a blog. Karl understands the importance of keeping abreast of laws, so he has decided to take time and explain various legal topics and the latest changes to certain laws so that the public is aware of the happenings. One of the most recent issues that Heideck has discussed is the new car seat law in Pennsylvania.
On August 12, 2016, Pennsylvania enacted a law that stated children under the age of 2 must be buckled into a rear-facing car seat. For the first year, police issued warnings to individuals who failed to comply. However, the warning period has expired. AAA has reported that auto accidents are the leading causes of injuries and fatalities for children. This new law aims to lower the risks of kids incurring serious harm, which will save a tremendous amount of devastation.
Legislators across the Keystone State have frequently championed laws that have the ability to save lives. Senators and representatives often propose legislation that is aimed at protecting the youth of the commonwealth. Keeping children safe in motor vehicles is an important measure that protects kids as they travel on busy roads. The best way to start is with car seats.
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Karen Boback, a Harvey’s Lake representative, lends her support to the latest law, especially since she has recently become a grandmother. She sites a multitude of studies that have shown rear-facing car seats protect the sensitive heads, necks, and spines of toddlers and infants. Senator John Yudichak is pleased that the new law will maximize safety of the community’s most vulnerable population.
Comprehending what the new law entails will keep children safe and keep caregivers out of trouble. It states that all kids who are younger than 2 years old must be clipped into a rear-facing seat. Starting on August 12, 2017, violators will be fined $125. With children below 8 years of age, guardians must keep them seated in an appropriate booster seat until they reach 4 feet 9 inches or 80 pounds. Individuals who do not abide by this rule will be fined up to $75.
Anyone who will be traveling with a young child will need to follow the latest Pennsylvania laws, so it is best to have advice from PennDot regarding how to select an appropriate car seat. To begin, it is wise to examine the vehicle that will be driven. It is important to choose a seat that will fit well into the automobile. Also, it is vital to review the car seat manufacturer’s instructions. To ensure top safety, the unit must be installed correctly and fit a child’s height and weight. For added convenience, numerous inspection sites are available across the state. Even when a child no longer needs to sit in a car seat, experts recommend making him or her sit in the back seat until he or she becomes a teenager. All passengers should use seat belts at all times as well.
Parents of young children should watch for safety recalls. Some manufacturers recognize issues with certain seating units and issue warnings about products that may be flawed. For example, the 2017 Graco “My Ride” seat had a poor performing harness. The brand recalled the unit and frequently lists defective items on their website. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers all current car seat manufacturers’ recalls as well. Individuals will receive notifications after signing up.
This new car seat regulation places Pennsylvania in the forefront of action. It is the fourth state to pass legislation that includes mandating the use of rear-facing seats for kids who are younger than 2 years old. To avoid fines and to preserve the health and safety of the state’s youth, guardians and childcare providers must heed the new law and comprehend the repercussions of ignoring the rules.
Read More Articles by Karl Heideck
- Karl Heideck Discusses the Future of Philly’s Soda Tax
- Karl Heideck Analyzes Why Judge Won’t Halt Philadelphia’s New Salary History Law
- Karl Heideck Explains the Lawsuit by Philadelphia Against Wells Fargo
