Booster seat rules almost law
New restrictions take effect Sept. 1
By Laura Stradiotto/The Sudbury Star
Local News - Saturday, August 20, 2005 @ 11:00
A new law requiring the use of booster seats will ensure more Ontario kids are
protected in case of an accident.
Changes to the child restraint law means children under age eight weighing
between 40 and 80 pounds and shorter than 4-foot-9 will have to sit in a booster
seat.
But if the child exceeds one of the criteria, a booster seat is not required,
said Renee Lefebvre, public health nurse with the Sudbury and District Health
Unit.
“If the child is seven, but 85 pounds, then he or she is exempt.”
The Greater Sudbury Police Service and the health unit conducted child car seat
spot checks on York and Regent streets Friday. Officials will be out again
Aug.24 and 25 across the city as part of the educational campaign to ensure
drivers are aware of the upcoming change.
A booster seat can cost anywhere between $30 and $150, depending on the brand
and style. The province will not charge Ontarians PST on booster seats starting
next month.
The other part of the legislation requires all people driving a child to use car
seats. Before, only parents and legal guardians had to obey the law, but after
Sept. 1, grandma and grandpa do, too. Taxis and buses are exceptions.
More than 90 per cent of motorists stopped in Sudbury in the last year did not
properly install car seats.
“We know that there’s a high percentage of people who don’t have their
kids in booster seats,” said Lefebvre.
“The No. 1 cause of death for children between four and nine are car crashes
due to the fact they are not secured properly.”
Because of this statistic, child safety groups lobbied the government to impose
stricter laws dealing with infant, child and booster seats.
But not all provinces have the same requirements.
“I’m hoping we’re going to set the precedent,” said Lefebvre. “By
showing Ontario (is) bringing in the legislation, other provinces will as
well.”
So how does a booster literally save lives?
“It lifts children to a position where the lap belt falls low on the hips
where it should be,” said Lefebvre.
If a small child is not wearing a booster seat, the lap belt falls on the
abdomen.
“With a small child, their knees usually don’t bend at the seat so they
slouch down. And in a collision, you’re looking at potential abdominal
internal injuries.”
The booster seat also ensures the belt falls across the child’s chest
properly. “The seat belt system will work effectively and is at the right
locations over the boney prominence of the hips and collar bone to help keep
them in the proper seating position.”