RALEIGH, N.C. — The state is kicking off a new effort to make parents aware of a big change to North Carolina's child safety seat law set go into effect next month.

Wednesday's Booster Seat Blitz is a statewide campaign to educate parents about new age and weight requirements to North Carolina's Booster Seat Law that take effect on Jan. 1.

Under the current law, any child 5 years old and 40 pounds has to use one. Starting in 2005, that is extended to any child that meets the following criteria: the child is less than 8 years old and less than 80 pounds.

According to the law, if no seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder belt to properly secure a weight-appropriate child passenger restraint system is available, a child less than 8 years of age and between 40 and 80 pounds may be restrained by a properly fitted lap belt only.

From 2000 to 2002, 43 North Carolina children age 5 to 8 died in motor vehicle crashes and at least 200 more were seriously injured.

Parents who fail to comply with the new law face penalties -- two points on their driver's license, a $25 fine and up to $100 in court costs.