LETTERS: SEAT-BELT LAWS SHOULD BE BASED ON CHILD'S WEIGHT

To the editor:

My father, Dwaine Lape, recently went to Washington, D.C., as an advocate for seat-belt safety in children. My two children, ages 4 and 6 years, were recently injured very badly in a motor-vehicle accident. Both were wearing seat belts, and most of their injuries were internal and were caused by the seat belt itself. While the children were in the intensive-care unit at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, we learned that, although Missouri state law states that kids can ride with the vehicle seat belt after age 4 years, it is not safe and that many sustain injuries from the seat belt.

Children should ride in booster seats until they are in the area of 80 pounds.

A news conference was televised in the St. Louis area but got little coverage from Southeast Missouri. Families all over the United States need to hear about this. You can find out more by contacting Cardinal Glennon Hospital or the National Safe Kids Coalition in Washington. It is for the safety of kids everywhere. Brendon and Zoe are survivors, but it will make their injuries seem more purposeful if they can help other children stay safe.

The media need to share this type of news with the public.

STEPH WEEKLEY

Marquand, Mo.