Starting Monday, you may have to pay a hefty fine if your child is not properly restrained while traveling in your car.

That's thanks to a booster seat law that officers throughout the state are now enforcing.

According to the new law, children who are at least four years old, but not yet eight, must travel in a booster seat while sitting in the car.

The statewide requirement took effect on June 1. It's an addition to an existing law that says children must be restrained in a child safety seat until they are four years old.

"We're just looking to try and reduce the likelihood of children not getting injured in a crash," said Wisconsin State Patrol Sergeant Mike Melgaard. "There's too many crashes where children are hurt, and in time it's believed this law is going to reduce that likelihood and reduce injuries for children."

But, there are exceptions to the rule.

Kids who fall between the ages of four and eight years old are at least 4'9" tall or weigh 80 pounds are not required to sit in a booster seat.

Sgt. Melgaard says without a booster seat, children can end up low in the back seat, and that could lead to a dangerous situation.

"When children are low in their seat, the safety belt can cut into their neck, it can put pressure onto a child where a seat belt wasn't designed to put pressure on," Melgaard said. "With the child raised in the seat, it puts the pressure on the less intrusive areas of the child and gives maximum benefits in the event of a crash."

And many Western Wisconsin parents say they are aware of those benefits.

"I know it's an inconvenience, a complaint is tying your kids in takes a few extra minutes," said parent Doug Schultz. "But when you think about it, it's your child."

*CG N2line Teresa Felton
"It's kind of a pain for people who are strapped for cash because you have to buy all these attachments," said parent Teresa Felton. "But I'd rather spend the extra $30, $40 to keep my child safe."

From the time the law took effect up until now, law enforcement officers issued over 100 warnings to drivers who did not follow the rule.

If you are caught not using a booster seat when you should be, you can expect a fine of $135 for the first offense.