Canadian Laws on Child Restraints

CDNTech · Sep 23, 2007

Bumping for new lurkers.

CDNTech · Nov 23, 2007

Bumping again for the new crowd.

Jewels · Nov 27, 2007

Was sent this today about the booster laws in New Foundland and Labrador:

Newfoundland and Labrador Has Booster Seat Legislation!!

Starting July 1, 2008, all children under the age of 8 who are heavier than 18kg (40 lbs) but less than 37kg (80 lbs) and under 145cm (4'9") tall need to be in a booster seat. The driver of the vehicle - parent, caregiver, daycare, grandparent, etc. is responsible to see that the child is safely restrained. Children less than 18kg (40 lbs) must be secured in a car seat.

What does that mean to us?

First off - a celebration. YES!! YIPEE! FANTASTIC!! CAKE! MUSIC! Second, we need to educate, educate, educate so this change is as smooth as possible.
Can a driver be charged by the police if this isn't happening?

Yes, it is 2 demerit points and $115 fine.
If a smaller child is currently not in a booster seat (eg. 7-years old and 65 lbs) does he or she have to get in a booster seat on July 1st, 2008?

Yes.
Won't some parents and caregivers balk because of the cost of getting a booster seat?

There might be some people that are upset at the extra cost. KISS has a handout called Too Cool for a Booster Seat? / How do I Afford a Booster Seat? There are quite a few ideas about both affording one and getting your child into one. Remember that if the vehicle has head-rests in the back, a simple booster seat can cost as little as $25 to $35.
Where can I see the specific legislation and media release from the Newfoundland and Labrador government?

The legislation can be found on the house of assembly web site here. The media release can be found here.

Apparently there is going to be a on-line petition (with printable forms) for Manitoba :thumbsup: I'll post that when I know more.

Jewels · Dec 11, 2007

I just received this email. Another province with a booster legislation :thumbsup:

Prince Edward Island Transportation and Public Works

On January 1, 2008, new rules will come into effect that will help keep young children protected from serious injury. That’s when the province’s new booster seat regulations will become law.

Under the new rules, children who weigh 18 kilograms (40 pounds) or more must be in a booster seat if they are nine years of age or under and shorter than 145 centimetres (4' 9"). Until now, those rules were only recommendations.

“We feel these new rules will provide more incentive for parents to use booster seats to keep their children safe from harm,” says Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ron MacKinley. “The only way to protect children from the dangers of collisions or sudden stops is to make sure they are properly restrained.”

Every year, approximately 10,000 young children are injured, some fatally, in traffic collisions across the country. It is known that as many as one-third of Canadian children are not properly restrained when travelling in motor vehicles.

“We applaud the provincial government for its efforts to keep Island children safe from harm,” says Valerie Lee from the Infant and Toddler Safety Association. “Far too often we hear stories about children who were hurt or killed because they weren’t properly restrained. Hopefully this new law will help prevent that from happening on Prince Edward Island.”

The new rules mean that about 7,000 children on the Island will now be required to use booster seats. A recent survey indicates that across the country only 28 percent of Canadian families use booster seats for children between 4 and 9 years old.

CDNTech · Jan 26, 2008

Canadian Laws on Child Restraints

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