Vehicle Safety for Children

Car accidents are the number one risk of death to children. Through the use of properly tested and installed child safety seats, seven out of every 10 children who died in a traffic fatality could have been saved. In fact, 3 out of every 4 children in child safety seats are not properly secured, or even worse, not restrained at all, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Both Illinois and Missouri have restraint laws in place to protect passengers, and specifically children when riding in a vehicle. Missouri law requires children of certain ages, weights and heights to be restrained by a child passenger restraint system, booster seat or safety belt when transported in any motor vehicle other than a public carrier for hire or school bus.

Illinois children are protected under the Child Passenger Protection Act which requires the use of approved safety seats by children under age four. Any person transporting a child under age four is responsible for the child’s safety. Children under age four must be properly secured in an approved child safety seat. Children four and five years old may be secured either in a safety seat or with a safety belt.

The NHTSA has a campaign in place called LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children Restraint System - which requires every car seat, and most vehicles manufactured since September 1, 2002, to have this restraint system in place. The LATCH system explains the use of the anchors and tethers within a vehicle for properly installing safety seats.

Following are guidelines for proper transportation of young passengers:

The restraint system must meet the federal safety standards that were in effect at the time the vehicle was manufactured.
Children less than four years old, regardless of weight, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child.
Children weighing less than 40 pounds, regardless of age, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child.
It is recommended that children under age 12 ride buckled in the back seat if the vehicle is equipped with a passenger-side front air bag.
If a child over one year old must ride in the front seat with a passenger-side air bag, he or she should be in a front-facing child safety seat, booster seat or correct fitting lap/shoulder belt with the seat back as far as possible.
Rear-facing infant seats should be secured in the back seat of the vehicle.
Booster seats that meet federal motor vehicle safety standards should be used for children who have outgrown their standard safety seats until they are big enough for seat belts

There are multiple kinds and styles of child safety seats. Before purchasing one make sure to research your needs based on your child’s size and the type of car. Contact your local police department for support in safely installing the seat.

Sources:

Missouri Driver’s Handbook
The Safety Restraint Coalition
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)