Illinois law dictates that children under age 8 must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system. This includes car seats or booster seats, as specified by the manufacturer’s instructions for the child’s height and weight. The statute emphasizes proper usage to ensure optimal safety in the event of a vehicle crash.
Adherence to these regulations significantly reduces the risk of injury or fatality for young passengers. Child restraint systems are engineered to distribute crash forces over stronger parts of a child’s body, mitigating potential harm. Historically, consistent enforcement of these laws has demonstrably improved child passenger safety outcomes statewide.