Question Fines in Ontario for placing seats side by side?

Joyster · Aug 25, 2008

I'm sorry if those question has been asked, I tried searching back several pages, and didn't find anything.

I was told by a store clerk the other day that I'd receive a fine if I placed two car seats side by side. It's a moot point since they wouldn't fit in my car side by side, but I've never heard of that and have tried looking it up online for verification, and I found this place.

Many thanks.

Joy

hipmaman · Aug 25, 2008

Uh uh, there is no fine for side by side installation, unless:

- one of the positions is prohibited (by the vehicle manufacture) for carseat use
- the carseats are grossly/wrongly installed when side by side

then you might be fined for not providing proper safe restraint, but not because they are side by side.

Btw, what was the context of that statement? Trying to sell you 2 big/wide carseats that wouldn't fit side by side in any vehicle?

Joyster · Aug 25, 2008

Thanks for the speedy reply.

The context was that I had bought another Marathon for my little guy who's outgrowing his infant seat, and she was carrying it out to the car for me. She took a glimpse at my current set up with the infant seat base next to the current Marathon and informed me that I would get fined if I were caught and to not install my Marathons side by side. Even if I wanted to, it would take an act of God to make that happen. *g*

The infant base is correctly secured as is the Marathon, that much I know, I was just surprised to hear about this fine.

santecno · Aug 25, 2008

I would have been fined a long time ago when I had 3 seats next to each other in a 2 dr Civic Coupe. I agree with Tam, unless the vehicle manual or car seat manual specifically states not to, then it's OK.

hipmaman · Aug 25, 2008

Joyster said:
The context was that I had bought another Marathon for my little guy who's outgrowing his infant seat, and she was carrying it out to the car for me. She took a glimpse at my current set up with the infant seat base next to the current Marathon and informed me that I would get fined if I were caught and to not install my Marathons side by side.

Odd... I hope she does not continue to spread such untruth though.

We do want people to use carseats for their kids. We do recognise that not every family drive a van or SUV with more than 5 seaters. And we do know families do have more than 2 children. So, to make laws preventing side by side carseats would be asking for trouble

bubbaray · Aug 25, 2008

Joyster said:
Thanks for the speedy reply.

The context was that I had bought another Marathon for my little guy who's outgrowing his infant seat, and she was carrying it out to the car for me. She took a glimpse at my current set up with the infant seat base next to the current Marathon and informed me that I would get fined if I were caught and to not install my Marathons side by side. Even if I wanted to, it would take an act of God to make that happen. *g*

The infant base is correctly secured as is the Marathon, that much I know, I was just surprised to hear about this fine.

She probably just wanted to sell you TWO more seats. :thumbsdown:

Joyster · Aug 26, 2008

hipmaman said:
Odd... I hope she does not continue to spread such untruth though.

We do want people to use carseats for their kids. We do recognise that not every family drive a van or SUV with more than 5 seaters. And we do know families do have more than 2 children. So, to make laws preventing side by side carseats would be asking for trouble

It was weird, I was really tired that day so didn't think of it on the spot, but once I got home, thought to myself how it wasn't feasible for there to be a law against side by side installation, otherwise everyone would have to be driving Safari's or Suburbans. Part of me wants to go back and tell her, I'm just not sure how best to do so diplomatically.

Joyster · Aug 26, 2008

bubbaray said:
She probably just wanted to sell you TWO more seats. :thumbsdown:

Well she couldn't, according to her logic, I only have room in my car for two. In theory I could squeeze three of different brands, but not three Marathons. Plus she had just made $300.00 off me, and that was her top carseat so unless she's crazy, she'd have to be trying to sell me something cheaper.

Question Fines in Ontario for placing seats side by side?

Joyster

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