With the aim of reducing injuries to children who are involved in car accidents, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA) have changed their recommendations for car seats and children. It is now suggested that infants remain in rear-facing seats until they reach the age of two. Based on research, rear facing seats support infants head and neck better in a car accident. The Chicago car accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer have handled cases for children injured in automobile crashes and have seen the most serious injuries for children not put in a car seat as required by Illinois law.
The NHSA has also changed its recommendations regarding elementary school children. Before, parents were advised to keep their children in booster seats until they are 8 years old. The new recommendation is that children should be kept in a booster seat until that are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Illinois law requires that children under the age of 8 years old be secured in the appropriate child safety seat. Persons in violation of this law are subject to a $50.00 fine for the first offense and $100.00 fine for subsequent offenses.