RCMP remind motorists of the importance of child seat safety
Police in Alberta are reminding drivers to make sure children are buckled up properly.
Alberta RCMP say last year they handed out 156 tickets to drivers who failed to properly restrain child passengers.
“By law, it is your job as a driver to ensure children under the age of 16 are secured using the proper safety restraints,” says Insp. Chris Romanchych, Alberta RCMP Traffic. “Their safety is your responsibility.”
They issued the following advice for those travelling with children in their vehicle.
l Children under six years of age, weighing 18 kg (40 lb) or less, must be in a car seat (Government of Alberta, 2022).
l It is recommended that children over the age of six use a booster seat until they reach the maximum height and weight (as stated by the manufacturer) and a seat belt fits properly (Government of Alberta, 2022).
l A child safety seat must have a Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards sticker on it to prove it meets national safety standards (Government of Alberta, 2022).
l It is not recommended that you purchase a pre-owned car seat as they may be damaged, recalled, or expired, and may not meet current safety standards (Alberta Health Services, 2022).
l Children younger than 13-years-old are safest travelling in the backseat of a vehicle (Government of Alberta, 2022).