Child Restraint

• Children ages 4 - 7 weighing at least 40 pounds but under 80 pounds, and less than 4'9" must be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat.

• Children less than four years of age (regardless of weight) and children weighing less than 40 pounds (regardless of age) must use an appropriate child safety seat.

• Children weighing at least 80 pounds or children more than 4'9" must use a safety belt or booster seat.

• Children who are required to use a booster seat may sit in the back seat wearing a lap belt if a lap and shoulder belt is not available.

• Children ages 15 and under must be restrained in some manner regardless of seating position.*

• Safety belt law covers all occupants in front seating positions.

  Secondary enforcement (safety belt law).

*As Safe Kids Worldwide focuses on accidental injury for children, this website posting merely addresses restraint coverage through age 15. This statement does not take into account any provisions mandating coverage for individuals ages 16 and over.

Enforcement

• Driver fined maximum $50 for child restraint violation.

• Offender fined maximum $10 for safety belt violation if 16 and older.

• The law fails to expressly recognize the importance of properly securing both the child and the child safety seat.

• Missouri has no public education campaign for child occupant protection, nor does it provide public funds to offset the costs of programs that would help protect children while traveling.

• Missouri fails to assess license points for violations of the child occupant protection laws.

• A driver may transport children without restraints if all other seating positions in the vehicle are occupied by other restrained passengers.

A Call to Action for Missouri

The Missouri legislature should, among other things:

• Add language that requires not only use, but proper use according to child safety seat manufacturer's instructions.

• Establish a child occupant protection public education program and supply sufficient funds to implement it.

• Eliminate its "safety belt shortage" exemption.

• Consider creating a child safety seat loaner/giveaway program for families in need and establishing a child occupant protection class for violators.

• Consider adding a well-crafted back seat mandate for its child passengers.

Take Action!

Get involved and contact your local or state Safe Kids coalition to join their efforts in closing these gaps!

Or read a more in-depth analysis of current national trends.

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