Booster seat law takes effect Wednesday

The second new car-safety law in a month takes effect this week in Minnesota.

Beginning Wednesday, children under 8 years old or under 4 feet 9 inches tall will have to travel in booster seats.

Right now, only children 3 and under have to use car seats or boosters. Children under 1 have to use a rear-facing car seat.

Fines for violating the booster seat law are waived if the vehicle owner can prove a safety seat was purchased within two weeks of being stopped.

The booster seat law is in addition to another law that took effect a few weeks ago. It gives police the right to stop motorists who aren't buckled up. Previously, they had to spot another traffic offense first.