Around the State

INDIANAPOLIS -- The number of Indiana children riding in car booster seats has increased dramatically since a new state law requiring their use took effect July 1, according to a new survey.\nNearly 75 percent of Indiana children ages 4 to 7 ride in the seats -- compared with 8 percent two years ago, the review found.\nThe survey results were released Tuesday by groups including the Kohl's Center for Safe Transportation of Children at Riley Hospital for Children and the Governor's Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving.\nThe study found 72 percent of children in the age group were riding in booster seats, 18.5 percent wore lap and shoulder belts, 3 percent wore lap belts alone and 4.5 percent were unrestrained.\nAbout 27 percent of the children in booster seats were placed in them incorrectly, the survey found. Some had shoulder belts positioned under the armrests of the seats and others put the shoulder straps behind children's backs.\nThe survey was conducted at 18 randomly chosen spots throughout the state during August and September. It involved 819 children ages 15 and younger in 500 vehicles.\nIn 2003, the survey involved 523 children 15 and younger in 321 vehicles.\nAdvocates say booster seats help smaller children properly fit into seat belts, which can ride up their abdomens. A booster seat helps the lap belt fit properly across a child's pelvic bones, and shoulder straps prevent torsos from flying forward.\n

State plans to sell part of aircraft fleet

\nINDIANAPOLIS -- The Daniels administration plans to sell 12 aircraft from the state's fleet of 20 planes and helicopters and replace them with four new aircraft.\nThe governor's office, state police, the state Department of Transportation and state Department of Natural Resources use the aircraft.\nGov. Mitch Daniels plans to keep a 2001 King Air 200 plane, which he and his staff have used 29 days, including for a couple of trips to Washington.\nBut six planes and six helicopters will goon the auction block because they are too old, too expensive to repair or just aren't used enough.\n"The consolidation of aircraft resources and administration will provide our state significant savings in maintenance, fuel and facility costs," Daniels said.\nHe did not say how much money the state was expected to save.\nDaniels on Monday announced the formation of a new state Aviation Division to manage the sale and the use of the aircraft.\nThe new division will be headed by Steven E. Stombaugh, who has been chief pilot and aviation manager for Indianapolis-based Great Lakes Chemical Corp. since 1985.\nRepublicans were outraged when Democratic Gov. Frank O'Bannon's administration acquired the King Air in 2001, saying the state could not afford the executive-type aircraft or its lease of $934,685 a year.