Child Safety Seats and the Law
New regulations are coming
Just like seat belts, child safety seats also save lives. That’s why their use is required by law in BC. Starting July 1, 2008, new regulations will take effect. These new regulations will strengthen the existing ones to provide more protection to children in BC. They will require all drivers to be responsible for transporting children in an age-and weight-appropriate child safety seat until they reach their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4'9") tall.
Current requirements
The current regulations in BC require the use of child safety seats only for children up to 18 kg (40 lb.). Most children reach this weight by the time they are four or five years old, which we know to be too young to safely use adult seat belts alone. In addition, the current BC regulations exempt a number of drivers from child safety seat requirements, resulting in many children being transported without a child safety seat. Several of these exemptions will be removed by the new legislation starting July 1, 2008. For a copy of the new B.C. Provincial Child Restraint Laws Click here [PDF].
Current regulations are the minimum standard
It’s important to realize that the current regulations relating to child safety seats are the minimum required standards. BC’s new child passenger regulations will align with the best practices and provide more protection to children in BC. Why wait until July 2008? Adopt the new regulations today to protect your child’s safety Ensure that your child is always properly restrained——no matter who is driving.
July 1, 2008 new regulations
Following is a brief, plain language summary of the new regulations that will come into effect in July 2008:
- All drivers are responsible for complying with all child safety seat requirements. For a copy of the new B.C. Provincial Child Restraint Laws Click here [PDF].
- Infants are to be secured in a rear-facing safety seat until they are a least one year old and 9kg (20 lb.). Infants may remain in the rear-facing position until they reach the upper weight limit for the safety seat. Rear-facing safety seats must never be used in a seating position with an active front airbag.
- Children who have outgrown their rear-facing safety seat are to be secured in a forward-facing child safety seat until they are at least 18 kg (40 lb.).
- Children at least 18 kg (40 lb.) are to be secured:
-in a booster seat in a seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder harness, or
-up to their 9th birthday unless they have reached 145cm (4'9") tall.
- Children who have passed their 9th birthday or are at least 145cm (4'9") tall, must be properly restrained by an adult seat belt.
A few word about correct use and installation
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read your vehicle owner’s manual to ensure that you are using and installing your child seat correctly.
- Use the quick checklist in each of the four stages to see if you are correctly using and installing your seat.
- Call the Child Seat Information Line (1-877-247-5551) to speak with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m)
- Book an appointment to come to a Child Seat Inspection Checks [PDF].
BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation/ICBC Child Passenger Safety Program