MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Capt. Scott B. White
(573) 526-6115
Q9132024
September 13, 2024
EMPHASIS:
Child Passenger Safety Week Is September 15-21, 2024
The Missouri State Highway Patrol joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Safety Council, Safe Kids Worldwide, and other safety advocates to commemorate National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21, 2024). Every year, children suffer needless injuries. In 2023, 11 children under the age of eight were killed in traffic crashes, and another 1,560 were injured. Troopers issued citations to 1,117 drivers who failed to secure children less than eight years old in a child restraint/booster seat in 2023. Troopers issued citations to an additional 206 drivers who failed to secure a child 80 pounds or more or over 4’9” in a seat belt in 2023.
Troopers investigate traffic crashes every day. Nothing is more disturbing than a traffic crash that includes a child being hurt or killed. The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages every driver to make sure child passengers in their vehicles are restrained properly.
Missouri law states:
* Children less than four years old are required to use an appropriate child passenger restraint system.
* Children less than 40 pounds, regardless of age, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for the child.
* Children ages four to eight years old who weigh at least 40 pounds, but less than 80 pounds, and are under 4’9” tall, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat appropriate for that child.
* Children ages eight through 15 must wear seat belts regardless of the type of vehicle in which they are riding or where they are seated (front or back). Like the child restraint law, this is a primary law, meaning you can be stopped by law enforcement for noncompliance.
* Persons less than 18 years of age operating or riding in trucks (regardless of gross weight for which licensed) must wear seat belts.
*No person under age 18 is allowed to ride in the unenclosed bed of a truck with a licensed gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds on lettered highways, federal, state-maintained highways, and within city limits. There are exemptions for agricultural purposes, special events, and parades.
* It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure passengers under the age of 16 are buckled up safely. Those 16 and over are responsible for themselves.
There are many styles of child safety seats from which parents may choose. There is no one "safest" child safety seat. Use the one that fits your child, fits in your vehicle correctly, and one that you will use correctly every trip, every time. For more information about the proper use of child restraint systems, car seat types, or to schedule a child safety seat inspection, contact the nearest Missouri State Highway Patrol troop headquarters and ask for the public information officer, or visit
www.seatcheck.org
.
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