Government of Alberta

By Regan Tate

Making sure Children are safe in vehicles

Nov 2, 2021 | 10:53 AM

Medicine Hat, AB–The Medicine Hat Police Service is focusing on child safety seats as the traffic safety focus for November.

Police say wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest, yet most important decisions drivers and passengers can make to protect themselves in a vehicle.

It’s also crucial that infants and young children are properly restrained in car seats or booster seats.

Occupant restraints facts:

• From 2014 to 2018, there were 282 unbelted fatalities in Alberta.

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• In 2018, people involved in collisions who used restraints had a much lower injury rate (6.7%) than those who did not use restraints (18.1%).

• Drivers are responsible for ensuring children under the age of 16 are properly secured and could face a $162 fine for not doing so.

• Children younger than 6 years old who weigh less than 18kg (40lbs) must be in a properly installed child safety seat.

• Children are safest in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old. Once they are at least 2 years old, children can move to a forward-facing car seat.

• Once a child is at least 6 or weighs at least 18kg, they should be in a booster seat. While not required by law, booster seats are highly recommended because they help position a child so the seat belt fits properly. Without a booster seat, a child is three and a half times more likely to suffer a significant injury.

• A child is safest in the back seat until they are at least 13.

If you need assistance in confirming your car seat is properly installed you can call 403-502-8249 or email HealthPromotion.South@ahs.ca to book an appointment.

Prior to your appointment please install the seat to the best of your ability or have someone that can be hands on during the appointment.