BC exemptions for child restraint laws

[Pixelated]

Is a taxi exempt from requiring children to be properly restrained in BC?

This http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bc... Act Regulations/26_58_11.xml#part_division36

would seem to indicate that it is (section 36.09 at the end). I would not expect a taxi driver to have to provide a restraint, but I would think it would be the driver's obligation to require a seat be used? Somehow physics doesn't apply to taxis?

Are there any provinces that DO require seats in a taxi?

 

[tam_shops]

It certainly was a few years ago, things have changed a couple times, but I've yet to hear that change.

The rational was that Taxi drivers have a class4 *professional* license and they are skilled in defensive driving and less likely to get into an accident. I had my class 4 until a few years ago, didn't bother to pay the extra to re-new and call baloney on the skill knowing some of my fellow van driving friends and how many times they smashed the van into the garage! LOL

I'd bet it's more about convenience and/or tourism.

tam

 

[QuassEE]

Professional drivers remain an exemption. The only exemption that changed with the new law was the non-parent driver exemption, as far as I know. The professional driver exemption is also why kids are not required to be in seats in limos and buses.

-N.

 

[equilibrium]

What is the process/how could the law be changed ?

 

[snowbird25ca]

What is the process/how could the law be changed ?

I'm thinking it's unlikely to see this changed. The most effective thing to do is public education targeting caregivers and cab companies to encourage the use of seats in cabs and show that it can be done. I think until people see it being done, you'd have a hard time convincing even politicians that it wouldn't be a burden on parents to be forced to provide a seat. (In some cases, parents may not even own seats, so that also leaves the question as to who is responsible since ultimately the driver of a vehicle is responsible for those under a certain age.)

I can see lots of room for confusion and I think the only way it could be successfully done would be to require that cab companies have seats available. But even then - you run in to the issue of trying to adjust a seat you're unfamiliar with and who knows if it's installed right. And who knows how the cab would store it and transfer it between uses...

I think the onus has to rest on the parents - and that is probably the reason why there is no law because it would be a very hard thing to determine responsibility and logistics.

It always makes me happy when I see people using seats in a cab - on the flip side, I've used car seats in cabs the few times I've taken one with my kids, and the taxi driver is usually impatient, sighing, and in some cases starts the fare as soon as you arrive at the vehicle with a car seat. So they don't make it very easy for parents either... (I had one offer to install the seat for me once. I didn't take him up on it and then he proceeded to argue with me that the seat had to be installed with UAS and that I couldn't use the seatbelt....)

 

[VanIsleMommy]

I know there are some logistical issues with public transporation of kids and car seats... but it is something I would love to see changed. No matter how good a driver's skills are, it's going to do nothing safety wise if, say, the vehicle is rear ended while sitting at a red light in traffic. Happened to DH just yesterday in fact.. someone hydroplaned right into the back of his boss's truck while they were at a light. And my back is permanently injured from the exact same scenario 10 years ago.