Clarification on Illinois, Iowa, Missouri laws

carrieb126 · Mar 29, 2011

I live in Missouri, but frequently travel to Iowa and Illinois. I have friends/family in all three states, and want to accurately discuss car seat safety laws for their respective states.

My understanding of the requirements of the law in MO: RF till 20 lbs and 1 year. Harnessed until 40 lbs and 4 years. Booster until 80 lbs or 8 years.

IL: RF till 20 lbs and 1 year. child restraint OR booster until 8 yrs. (as in, you could put a 2 yo in a booster if the meeting the seat's weight and height requirement?!)

IA: RF til 20 lbs and 1 year. child restraint or booster until 6 years. booster OR seatbelt until 11 years. again, if a child met the height/weight requirements, could booster at a very young age?

I mentioned to a friend in IL about MO's requirements. She said she has a HBB (no harness) for her 3 years a few months granddaughter. I don't know weight or height, and couldn't guess it either. I guess this could be legal?

Carrie

aunt83me02 · Mar 29, 2011

Our law in Iowa just got upped and now ALL kids 6-17 are required to wear seat belts (regardless of front/back seat). I believe we have a proper use clause so if there's a 3yr old that weighs 31lbs in a highback turbo, that is technically legal (although not exactly the safest thing!). Kids under a year must be rear-facing but kids between 1-5 can be in a harnessed car seat or booster seat, as long as it is used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

carrieb126 · Mar 29, 2011

What is a proper use clause? how does that work?

Carrie

Evolily · Mar 29, 2011

carrieb126 said:
What is a proper use clause? how does that work?

Carrie

Proper use clause means that you have to use the seat according to the manual. If a booster has a 3 y/o minimum you can't use that booster with a 2 y/o, even if they meet the minimums otherwise. Same with other minimums. It makes it difficult to legally use a booster before around 3 years old. There are very few boosters that do not have an age requirement, and for the most part those that do not have an age requirement have a height requirement.

Illinois is a proper use state. Here's the most consumer friendly official website on the legislation http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/programs/kiss.html .

emandbri · Mar 30, 2011

That is how folks here interpret MO law but it isn't enforced or really known about. When I took my recertification class the certified instructor didn't know about the law.

carrieb126 · Mar 30, 2011

I find that fellow Missourian's also don't know about the law. I guess I knew to look it up because of info I gathered online. But, the interpretation I wrote seems to be clearly stated on the mo.gov website. I guess people just don't know, and some don't care. The family that I've told about the mo law just kind of shrugged.

Carrie

Clarification on Illinois, Iowa, Missouri laws

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