Seat Belt and Child Car Seat Rules Every Alberta Driver Should Know
In Alberta, drivers and passengers must wear a seat belt and drivers are responsible for making sure children are properly restrained. Children under 6 who weigh 18 kg (40 lbs) or less must be in a properly installed child restraint. Children aged 6 to 15 must wear a seat belt and so must children under 6 who weigh more than 18 kg. The fine for not following the rules is $211. It is also recommended for children to stay in the back seat until they’re at least 13.
Why Does Occupant Restraint Safety Matter?
Seat belts and child restraints are among the simplest things you can do to protect the people in your vehicle. Occupant Restraint Safety Month is a good reminder to check if everyone is buckled up correctly and every child is in the right seat for their size.
What Are Alberta’s Seat Belt Rules?
- Everyone must wear one. Drivers and passengers must wear an occupant restraint.
- Belts must be used properly. They must be properly adjusted and securely fastened and they can’t be removed or modified.
- Drivers are responsible for kids. Drivers must make sure children aged 6 to 15 are wearing a seat belt and so are children under 6 who weigh more than 18 kg (40 lbs).
- Young children need a child restraint. Drivers must make sure children under 6 who weigh 18 kg (40 lbs) or less are in a properly installed child restraint.
- The fine is $211 for not following occupant restraint rules.
- New drivers: Learner and probationary drivers who carry more passengers than there are seat belts receive 2 demerit points.
What Are the Stages of Child Car Seats?
There are four stages. Children should move to the next stage only when they’ve outgrown the one they’re in.
- Rear-Facing Seat (Birth to At Least Age 2)
A child is safest in a rear-facing seat until at least age 2 or until they reach the height or weight limit set by the seat’s manufacturer. Use this seat for as long as you can.
- Forward-Facing Seat (At Least Age 2 Until At Least Age 6 or 18 kg)
By law in Alberta, children under 6 who weigh 18 kg (40 lbs) or less must be in a child safety seat. A forward-facing seat is used until at least age 6, or until the child is over 18 kg and has reached the seat’s maximum height or weight limit. Always hook up the top tether strap and pull it tight.
- Booster Seat (Until a Seat Belt Fits)
Booster seats aren’t required by law in Alberta, but they help a seat belt fit a growing child properly. A child can move to a booster at age 6, or when they’re over 18 kg and have reached the forward-facing seat’s limit. Use a booster only with a lap-and-shoulder seat belt and choose a high-back booster if your vehicle seat has no head rest.
- Seat Belt
Most children are ready for a seat belt when they’re at least 145 cm (4’9″) tall and between 8 and 12 years old. It fits when:
- the knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat,
- the shoulder belt sits between the neck and shoulder and
- the lap belt crosses the hips.
Where Should Children Sit?
Always install child seats in the back seat. A front airbag can hurt a child when it inflates. Children are safest and should stay in the back seat, until they are at least 13 years old.
How Can I Check if a Car Seat Is Installed Correctly?
- Check for movement. A rear-facing seat should move less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) in any direction.
- Check the harness. The chest clip should sit at armpit level.
- Use the top tether on every forward-facing seat.
- Read both manuals. Follow your car seat’s directions and your vehicle owner’s manual. The anchor locations are in your vehicle manual.
What Are Common Car Seat Mistakes?
Child passenger safety experts at the Traffic Injury Research Foundation highlight a few common ones:
- Moving a child to the next stage as soon as they reach the minimum size, instead of waiting until they’ve outgrown the current seat.
- Skipping the booster stage.
- Relying on an adult seat belt for a child who’s too small for it to fit properly.
- Using a seat which has been in a collision. It is advised never to use a child seat which has been in a collision and the advise goes against buying a used seat.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes. Under Alberta’s rules, seat belts and child restraints aren’t required (though still recommended) in a few situations, such as vehicles not equipped with seat belts by the manufacturer, or when a person has a letter from a qualified medical practitioner. Child restraints also aren’t required in taxis, emergency vehicles, or vehicles rented or leased for 14 days or less. Even then, they’re still recommended.
Summary
A few quick checks protect the people who matter most: Is everyone buckled up? Is each child in the right stage? Is the seat installed tightly? This month, take a minute to check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it the law to use a child car seat in Alberta? Yes. Children under 6 who weigh 18 kg (40 lbs) or less must be in a properly installed child restraint.
What is the fine for not wearing a seat belt in Alberta? $211 for not complying with occupant restraint laws.
Who is responsible if a child isn’t buckled up? The driver. Drivers must ensure children aged 6 to 15 and children under 6 weighing more than 18 kg, are wearing a seat belt and the younger, lighter children are in a properly installed child restraint.
Are booster seats required by law in Alberta? No, but they’re recommended until a seat belt fits properly.
When can a child stop using a booster seat? Typically when they’re at least 145 cm (4’9″) tall and between 8 and 12 years old and the seat belt fits: knees bend at the seat edge, the shoulder belt sits between the neck and shoulder and the lap belt crosses the hips.
How long should a child ride rear-facing? Until at least age 2, or until they reach the seat’s height or weight limit. It is recommended to use this seat for as long as you can.
When can a child sit in the front seat? Children are safest in the back seat until they’re at least 13 years old.
Can I use a car seat which has been in a collision? No. It is advised never to use a child seat which has been in a collision.