Iowa Child Restraint Law Guide

(Iowa Code 321.446, Data Code 198a) - as of July 1, 2004

Key Points

A child under 1 year old and weighing less than 20 lbs. must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system
A child under 6 years old must be secured in a child restraint system (a safety seat or booster seat--NOT a seat belt)
A child from the age of 6 up to the age of 11 must be secured in a child restraint system or by a safety belt

A Citation may be issued to the driver if a child passenger is:

Under the age of 3 and not in a child restraint system
Between 3 and 6 years of age and not in a child restraint system or wearing a seat belt
Age 6 or older and not wearing a seat belt while sitting in the front seat

A "child restraint system" is a specially designed seating system, including a belt positioning seat or a booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
The driver is responsible for the fine
The misdemeanor fine is $25, plus costs (nonmoving violation)
The law applies to both residents and nonresidents of Iowa
The child restraint system must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
The child must be secured in the child restraint and the child restraint must be properly secured to the vehicle
Non-use of a child restraint is probable cause to stop a vehicle
An officer may investigate a suspected violation
First-offense citations will not result in convictions if the driver "produces in court" proof of acquisition of a child restraint

Exceptions:

Children certified by a physician as having a medical, physical or mental disability making restraint use inadvisable
Children on a bus, including a school bus
Children riding on motorcycles
Children riding in vehicles manufactured before 1966
Children being transported in authorized emergency vehicles
Children transported by peace officers on official duty
Children riding in motor homes except if riding in the front passenger seat (where they must be restrained)

This is only a guide, provided through the courtesy of the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, Department of Public Safety

Common Child Safety Seat Misuses:

Seat installed too loose
Improper seating position (in front of an air bag)
Not buckling child into restraint
Not securely anchoring the child restraint to the vehicle
Improper seat for child's age and size
Infant riding facing forward
Harness retainer clip not at armpit level
Loose harness straps

To graduate to an adult belt -- a child must be able to sit with their back/buttocks against the seat with their knees bent at the edge of the seat. The belt system must be snug across the center of the child's chest and across their lap at the hips.

Common Safety Belt Misuses for Children:

Lap belt up on abdomen
Lap belt loose, shoulder belt loose
Shoulder belt behind back
Shoulder belt under their arm

Nationally Recommended Standards for Safe Use of Child Restraint Systems

	Infants	Toddler/Preschool	Young Children
Weight	Birth to 1year Up to 20-22 lbs.	Over 1 year 20-40 lbs.	Over 40 lbs. up to about 80 lbs. and 4'9 " tall
Type of Seat	Infant only or rear-facing convertible	Convertible or Forward-facing	Belt positioning booster seat
Seat Position	Rear-facing only	Forward-facing	Forward-facing
Always Make Sure	Children to one year AND at least 20 lbs. in rear-facing seats Harness straps at or below shoulder level	Harness straps should be at or above shoulders Most seats require top slot for forward facing	Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap AND shoulder belt
WARNING	Do not place infants in the front passenger seat of cars with air bags	All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat	Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight to avoid abdominal injuries

For further information, you may contact the State Child Restraint Coordinator at 1-800-728-3367.

For Certified Child Passenger Technicians / Child Restraint Checks, visit this website: www.blankchildrens.org/cps