24/7 FREE CONSULTATION (314) 361-4242

Child Car Seat Safety – Missouri Car Seat Law

Car accidents are the number one cause of death among children – using an appropriate child safety seat can save your child’s life.

st louis car crash child passenger safety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), child passenger safety is a serious issue that can be addressed by using proper car seats and boosters seats. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death among children. More than 600,000 children under the age of 12 years ride in motor vehicles without using safety or booster seats.

How Effective Are Child Safety Seats?

Studies have shown that the use of an appropriate booster seat, safety seat, or seatbelt significantly reduces the risk of injury or death by over 71 percent among those under the age of 1, by 54 percent in children between 1-4 years, by 45 percent in those between the ages of 4-8, and by 50 percent among older children and adults. There are state regulations in place that require the use of age appropriate restraint systems such as safety seats and booster seats.

Missouri State Law

According to Chapter Section 307.179.1:

Every driver transporting a child under the age of sixteen years shall be responsible, when transporting such child in a motor vehicle operated by that driver on the streets or highways of this state, for providing for the protection of such child as follows:

(1) Children less than four years of age, regardless of weight, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child;

(2) Children weighing less than forty pounds, regardless of age, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child;

(3) Children at least four years of age but less than eight years of age, who also weigh at least forty pounds but less than eighty pounds, and who are also less than four feet, nine inches tall, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat appropriate for that child;

(4) Children at least eighty pounds or children more than four feet, nine inches in height shall be secured by a vehicle safety belt or booster seat appropriate for that child.

Prevent Injuries and Fatalities

All drivers and front seat passengers are required to buckle up. These laws have some exceptions when more children are being transported than the vehicle is equipped to hold in passenger child seats. Another exception to these laws arises when children are being transported on a school bus or other public vehicle for hire. Any violation of these laws can result in a fine of $50 and court costs. The goal of these laws is to prevent injuries and fatalities to children and other passengers.

St. Louis Car Crash Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have a claim irrespective of whether or not you were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Speak to a St. Louis car crash lawyer about your situation. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

Updated: July 16, 2023