Your children's safety in cars does not only depend on them being properly buckled in. Car seats must be suited to their height and weight and comply with strict standards, in accordance with legislation.
If you are transporting children in your car, you must ensure their safety by complying with the Highway Safety Code.
As of April 2019, the Highway Safety Code requires that children be secured in a child safety seat that is appropriate for their weight and height until they are 145 cm tall or 9 years old.
We also recommend that all children aged 12 or younger be seated in the back seat of the vehicle.
The booster seat raises the child so that the car’s seat belt crosses over the middle of the shoulder and over the hips.
To be effective, the seat belt must cross over the middle of the shoulder (collarbone) and over the hips (pelvis). A properly positioned seat belt helps the body better absorb the impact in the event of a collision, unlike a seat belt that crosses over the neck or abdomen, which could result in serious injuries.
See the section entitled Children and Seat Belts for more details and instructions.
Airbags can be dangerous for children if you fail to comply with certain safety rules. See the section on airbags to find out more.
In the event of a collision or sudden braking at 50 km/h, the weight of objects in the vehicle is multiplied by 20, turning them into projectiles that could injure or kill the occupants of the vehicle.
Make sure that objects are securely stowed, for example in the vehicle's trunk or closed compartments.
Children can be a source of distraction in a vehicle.
Before setting out, make sure that your children have everything they need for the duration of the trip. That way, you can focus on the road.
Whatever the reason, never leave a child unattended in a road vehicle.
Section 380 of the Highway Safety Code specifies that “No person may leave a child under 7 years of age unattended in a road vehicle under his custody.”
Last update: May 27, 2022
