New child restraint law in Washington

There is SO much confusion being spread about the new child restraint law that is going into effect in Washington on June 1, 2007. Frankly, the media and various spokespeople keep getting it wrong. Here's the real scoop:

Technically, the new child restraint law applies to all passengers under age 16. Practically speaking, the law only regulates child restraint through age 12. But see the "cop discretion" note below.

Kids must ride in an appropriate, properly installed and secured carseat or booster seat until they reach EITHER age 8 OR 4’9” in height. That big "OR" there means a 7-year-old who is 4’9” does not need to ride in a booster (because he meets the height requirement), and, similarly, an 8-year-old who is less than 4’9” does not need to ride in a booster (because she meets the age requirement). But see the "cop discretion" note below.

Kids 8 years old and older AND kids 4’9” tall and taller can use the regular seatbelt as long as it fits them properly. The italicized part there is left to the discretion of the cop who pulls you over. A cop could conceivably ticket the driver if an older kid has a shoulder belt that cuts across his neck, just as he could ticket the driver if a younger kid is riding in a carseat that has not been installed or secured properly.

Kids under 13 should be made to ride in the backseat “where it is practical to do so.” That phrasing probably gives some leeway to someone who is transporting a pack of kids and has run out of back seats.

If you want to do your own research, the link below will take you to the full text of the actual new law (scroll down past the outgoing law).
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.687