LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Senate on Thursday approved legislation that would require all children under the age of eight, and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall, to be securely fastened in a child safety seat while riding in a motor vehicle.

“This bill is a common sense way to increase the safety of our young children,” said Sen. Michelle A. McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, who sponsored the measure. “Seat belts are not designed with children in mind, and it is proven that when young children are secured in booster seats, they are safer. It is important to me as a parent that this bill be passed.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury among children over the age of 1, due mostly to safety belts that are designed for adults. Nationwide, more than 90 percent of children between 4 and 8 years old who were seriously injured were not restrained in a booster seat. In Michigan, only 14.4 percent of children in that age group were using booster seats in 2002.

Michigan would join with 38 other states in passing the new booster seat law.

“Booster seats immediately and effectively increase the safety of children,” said McManus. “They are readily available at most stores, and are often provided free of charge to those in need. I encourage my colleagues in the House to support this legislation.”

Senate Bill 82 now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.