HARRISBURG - - Despite accident statistics, medical expert opinion and rigorous opposition from the Senate Democratic leader, the state Senate this week voted 30-19 to delay enforcing a law that requires all children under age 8 to ride in booster seats.

Delay advocates say the new law does not give people enough time to purchase booster seats suitable for their vehicles. They also claim the added expense for school districts this far into the school year would be impossible for them to absorb.

Democratic Leader Bob Mellow led the call for the booster seat law to remain enforced and offered an amendment to Senate Bill 274 that would have limited the delay to school vehicles only. The amendment failed by a 22-27 vote.

Mellow pointed to grim statistics showing that thousands of children will continue to be put in jeopardy before the new law can be enforced under Senate Bill 274. The new enforcement date would begin August 15, 2003.

The measure would also delay the effective date of requiring drivers to use their headlights while traveling through construction zones; and requiring a speed-monitoring device at the entrance of certain construction zones.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

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