The summer of 2011 has been a busy time for Missouri law enforcement officers: intensive efforts have been underway statewide to increase compliance with seatbelt and child restraint laws.
In just two weeks, one enforcement campaign in early June netted almost 350 traffic citations. Meant to take a bite out of preventable traffic deaths, this special operation was the result of collaboration between the Missouri Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Missouri Safety Center. Grants were awarded to pay overtime to keep 21 officers on the road writing tickets.
Of course, law enforcement is only a small part of the equation when it comes to child safety on Missouri highways; for instance, being well-informed about child safety facts, knowing restraint guidelines and understanding how St. Louis products liability attorneys ensure that manufacturers produce effective child car seats can be beneficial for any parent.
Missouri Laws Aimed At Number One Threat to Children
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages three to 14. In 2008, this meant that 1,347 children under the age of 15 lost their lives in car crashes; 35 of these deaths occurred in Missouri. Additionally, almost 200,000 children 14 and younger were injured in car accidents across the country in 2008.
Fortunately, following proper safety procedures can substantially reduce the risk to child automobile passengers. According to research cited by the NHTSA, properly using a child safety seat lowers the chances of suffering a fatal injury by 71 percent for children under one and by 54 percent for children one to four years old. In 2008, almost half of all children 14 and under killed in car accidents were completely unrestrained.
Missouri's laws reflect a strong focus on child safety. All children under four, regardless of size, must be secured in an appropriate restraint system; older children who weigh less than 40 pounds must be similarly restrained.
There are more options for children between the ages of four and seven. These children may either use a child passenger restraint system or a booster seat. However, larger children in this age group (those weighing over 80 pounds or measuring five feet or more in height) may legally forgo a car seat or booster seat and instead use a standard vehicle seat belt.
Under Missouri law, all children eight and older may simply use an adult safety belt. Although it is not legally mandated in Missouri, children younger than 12 (whether restrained with a rear-facing child seat or an adult safety belt) should ride in the rear seat of vehicles with passenger-side airbags. In addition, it is recommended to keep children in car seats as long as they meet the seat's height and weight standards, even if they have passed the age where it is required.
When Car Seats Hinder Safety
Overall, the benefits of using a child safety seat vastly outweigh the drawbacks, and anyone traveling with a young child should always employ proper restraints. But, sometimes defects that arise in the design or manufacturing process mean equipment meant to protect your child could be ineffective or even inherently dangerous.
The NHTSA maintains a searchable database of recalls issued in the last ten years regarding child seats or vehicles with faulty child seat components; dozens of child safety seat recalls have been issued in the past decade. If you have purchased a child safety seat, you may register it with the NHTSA so that you can be easily notified in the event of a recall. Some of the most common threats posed by child seats include weak or ineffective straps, latches/anchors that may allow the seat to detach from the vehicle base and components that could come loose and pose a choking hazard.
Another emerging threat is the chemical composition of car seat materials. A prominent consumer website recently released the results of a study that tested some 150 2011 model-year car seats for lead, chlorine and other toxins. The results were startling: more than 60 percent of car seats tested contained at least one potentially hazardous substance. Babies may be especially sensitive to toxic elements in their safety seats, since their bodies are in an early stage of development and many young children spend a great deal of time in the car.
If a defective car seat causes or contributes to an injury, its manufacturer may be held responsible in a lawsuit for products liability. Products liability suits are especially important in the context of child safety equipment. Of course, ensuring that compensation is available to pay for a child's medical expenses, pain and suffering and other losses can be a significant motivating factor in filing suit. But, imposing manufacturer accountability protects other children from danger, and can be another meaningful result of a products liability action.
If your child has been injured or killed on the road, contact a Missouri motor vehicle accident attorney with experience in products liability to fully explore your legal options.
