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photo by Steve VanGunda
Andrews Metals employees Tommy Lee Fleming and David McGowan load vehicle engines into bins for transport Thursday afternoon.
Child restraint, scrap metal laws going into effect
Published Friday, June 27, 2008
NATCHEZ — As July 1 approaches, a handful of new laws are poised to go into effect.
While many of the new laws deal with issues like tax and insurance matters, two upcoming laws will give local law enforcement a little more to look out for.
Starting July 1 a new child restraint law will change the way children can ride in vehicles.
Mississippi Highway Patrolman Sgt. Rusty Boyd said booster seats will become mandatory for children from 4 to 6 years old who are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall.
“It’s for their protection,” he said.
Boyd said the new law was originated by pediatric advocacy groups in an effort to decrease the rate of injuries in the targeted age range.
Boyd said booster seats change the location of the seat belt on a child’s body and prevent the seat belt from going across a child’s neck.
“That can cause very serious injury,” Boyd said.
Boyd said not having a properly restrained child carries a fine of $25.
The second law of interest to local law enforcement will not go into effect until Aug. 9.
That law dealing with the sale and purchase of scrap metal is to put a damper on the theft of valuable metals.
Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Maj. Jody Waldrop said strict regulations, to be put in place, dealing with the process of selling metals has the potential to lessen their theft.
“Until now there’s no regulation of substance in Mississippi,” he said of the currently lax laws regarding metal theft.
Once in place the new law will require businesses purchasing scrap metal to obtain a photo identification of the metal seller and take a photo or video of the seller with the metal they intend to sell.
Current metal sales in the state yield automatic cash, however that will also change with the new law.
Waldrop said the new law requires the purchaser to mail a check to the seller, at the address on the ID, no sooner than three days after the metal has been received by the buyer.
Waldrop said the three-day regulation is meant to hinder those seeking immediate cash, usually to satisfy a drug addiction.
Adams County Supervisor S.E. “Spanky” Felter said he feels confident the new law will help to deter future metal theft.
Felter has regularly spoken on a need to regulate metal sales in an attempt to hinder theft.
Felter said the law is particularly helpful because its aim is at those selling stolen metal.
“If it’s legitimate there’s nothing for the seller to worry about,” he said.
Comments
Posted by eyeinthesky (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 4:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
did ya'll know the deputy who wrecked his car into the new cars at Great River was driving with a suspended license and was fired from the SO
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is crazy 4'9" that is almost 5 feet. Heck I am just barely a little over 5 feet tall. This also ruins the seat in a car that has leather seats so who is going to pay for that damage and also the cloth seats cause it puts a impression in the seat and it will not come out. And the weight of the child gosh I love my babies but this is a little harsh I think. I know there life is more important than a car but come on before you know it we are going to have a law that voices You can not ride no more than 3 miles a day with your children in the car.
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe you are putting more stock in your car's seats than in your children's safety. You are worried about aesthetic appearances more than something that has been shown to help prevent more serious injuries in a child. Also, it is different with an adult. Physiologically, adults and their bone systems are formulated more advancely than children. Children are just more fragile at that age. I think it is a great law.
The police should start enforcing the existing laws on child restraint before they worry about these. I five adults get in a car at pizza hut, and two of them had babies. They just had them in their laps. Gross negligence in my opinion and I think people should have to serve a month in jail if they are caught with their babies (these were infants) out of a child seat while going down the road. I have a three year old and I ALWAYS put her in a seat. Her safety is my number one priority.
Posted by momoftwo23 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I see people that hold their babies also swapmeet. I think they deserve more than a 25 dollar ticket for sure. Babies do not have a choice whether or not they are protected. It's up to the parents. And as for oldschool, we used to put a towel underneath the car seats and it kept them from ruining the seats. I would much rather my seats be ruined than my child to obtain injuries or die in a car wreck. You can replace damage to your seats but you can never replace a precious baby.
Posted by msmama (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Read old School...the article says up to 6 yrs. of age. I would hope you could "sacrifice" 6 yrs of your vehicles life for the life of your child.
Posted by concernedNTZcitizen (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe they (oldschool) have so many little ones under 6 that it will be door to door car seats.
Kudos to the new law. Maybe it will cut back on the number of children these young people keep popping out.
Children are the most precious gift and should be treated like one.
Posted by itsawounderfullife (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said swapmeet! I have lil ones around this age and no matter how far or near the trip is they are ALWAYS restrained, in fact if I forget my oldest is sure to let me know. Go gettem law inforcers!!
Posted by realdeal1150 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oldschool needs to have to work a wreck where the seat could have saved the childs life then his car wouldn't seem so important. Seeing a child with their head almost severed is a real reality check. The fine should be higher as well as having to spend some time getting educated on why the seats are necessary. Our children should be our number 1 priority since they can't be replaced or rebuilt after being killed. Love em now, strap them in. I was at a wreck a couple weeks back and saw a trooper leave the scene to run down a woman with her child in her lap while she was driving. She tried to make all kinds of excuses while the officer continued to write her a citation. After the citation she got a good talking to about child seat useage. Good going Trooper.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know someone who has their grandkid in their lap everytime they pull out of the driveway. Don't they realize that a "normal" fender-bender would mean almost certain death for this child? I realize most of us rode with our parents without restraints when we were young, when a Buick or Chrysler was made like a tank. Still, that's not a good enough excuse...click 'em parents and grandparents! Babies are too precious to take a chance. I'll pass on what my parents always told me..."It's not YOUR driving that worries me...it's the OTHER driver you need to watch out for!" You never know.
Posted by lookingout (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i thought that was already a law..... i got a ticket cause my baby was not buckled properly i had her buckled in her car seat but the seat belt didnt buckle my fine was 135 dollars that was in jackson so i dont know what the 25 dollars is for.... i think the law is great my lil girl is now 3 and i have a 3 onth old and both of them are always buckled in no matter how far i am going
Posted by babyblu2001 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First off this is a great law, however wouldn't a child that was 4' 9'' be closer to 8 or even 10 years old rather than six. My six year old- one month shy of 7, is only 4' tall ,and is average height for his age. The height-age thing really doesn't make sense to me...So, do you think people are gonna start making their children lie about their ages now??? The sad thing is - the answer for some is probably yes! Poor babies!!!
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand oldschools viewpoint, because 4'9" is kind of tall, but I do agree with children being in car restraints, especially infants and toddlers. I do not go anywhere until everyone in my car is buckled up, especially my 3 yr old in his carseat. I am only 5' and 90 lbs so I am just hoping that they don't raise this requirement for boosters seats or I might have to purchase one for myself!!...and I am 39 yrs old!! LOL
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought this was a law already....I have saw so many children not strapped into a vehicle..Don't people stop to think what if i had a wreck and killed them could they live with themselves? How long does it take to buckle them in a minute maybe....I think if a child isn't buckled in the law should be as harsh on them as they are on dwi's....Why not both can kill and could be prevented...
Posted by mzsassykay (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is gud that the child restraint law is goin n effect. Hopefully these parents wud think to buckle these children up and stop letting them ride in the front seat. this is very dangerous and you could lose a love ones life if u dnt take precaution. If you would think about the lit boy that died on liberty rd. awhile back he wasnt wearing a seat belt and was in the front seat.
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LIKE i said I am not all about saving my car seats. yaw read too much into it. like I said I love kids and yes I have worked wrecked with children involved and I also missed the part about the ages 4 to 6. What I read was they had to be 4'9" my bad on that part but you know like they all say too bad! I would put my life before I would my childs. I love kids also. You know if I had 6 kids door to door maybe i would be better off like I said before those are the people who make all the money for free and can spend all day with there kids. Me i spend 3 hours a day during the week with them casue I WORK for a living. I work 14 days on with two days off then another 14 days with 2 days off. So I really don't have time to be running the roads with my kids. sorry you would actually think material items are better than kids. And the remark cooper3k1 made that is what i was getting too. I don't need a booster seat! :) i maybe short but old enough to know right from wrong and yes if people don't put there children in a car seat and i see that i let them know how dangerous that is. I am NEVER lost for words!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm tall, I don't think I was ever 4'9" or shorter...LOL, but I do remember my brothers having to sit on old thick Sears and Penneys catalogs so the seatbelts would fit...this was in the days before carseats and boosters...my youngest brother used to need three two inch thick catalogs...my sympathies for your height impairment oldschool...LOL.
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the seat belt law applies to school busses as well. Does anyone have information pertaining to that?
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on June 28, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by mzsassykay (anonymous) on June 27, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"think about the lit boy that died on liberty rd. awhile back he wasnt wearing a seat belt and was in the front seat."
That wreck happened on a road I have to go down everyday. When I heard about it, I said "please, let him have been wearing his seat belt". I was afraid he wasn't. That's why this law is so important. More important than the law is the enforcement of the law. That's what really matters.
Posted by shewoman1960 (anonymous) on June 29, 2008 at 3:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People should always, before the car is shifted into gear, buckle up thier children and themselves! It's law but more importantly, it's the safest. Always make sure that carseats/booster seats are secured properly for the life of our children. There is no reason that any child should not sit comfortable in a car seat if they were properly put in one from birth.
Any driver and/or adult within the automobile should be accountable for the children's safety. If the children are not buckled, all adults should be charged! Law Enforcement should crack down on these people not protecting thier young!
Yea, the child that died on Liberty Road, sad. He should have been buckled in. Not that it would have changed a thing, but people who don't abide by the laws to protect the young should face charges for decisions.
Posted by Zhena (anonymous) on July 2, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know each state differs on child restraint laws...
Though I read somewhere where your child should use a booster seat starting at 30-40 (depending on type of seat) till 80 lbs, and a height of 56 inches. (usually reached between 9-12 years of age). My 6 year old who uses a booster, is 45 inches, and 45 lbs. So if they surpass the age of 6, but not the height, they should continue using the seat till when? They don't require the booster seat past the age of 6, even though the height is not over 56 or 57 in this state?
I agree wholeheartedly with some of the other posters, about adults having small children and babies roaming free in the car, not only is it unsafe for the child, but can distract the driver as well. And BTW Oldschool, Wal-Mart has child seat protective mats to place under the car seat, so not to damage your upholstery.
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