The importance of securing a child properly in a car cannot be emphasized enough. Failure to do so can lead to a number of dangerous consequences, so you must protect your children by securing them properly.
Improper use of car seats and seat belts can lead to disastrous consequences if your vehicle were to be involved in a crash. Depending on the severity of the crash, death can occur if the child was not properly seated or secured in their seat. This is something every parent and caregiver wants to avoid, so you need to follow car seat laws to prevent such a disastrous situation from occurring. Remember that these laws are in place for a reason, so it is crucial that you understand and follow these guidelines.
Safety should always be your number one priority when driving, and this applies to both the driver and any passengers in the car. There are different rules that apply based on the child’s age and weight, and if you have a newborn, the infant must be rear-facing in the back seat until they are at least one and weigh 20lbs or more. Infants can face forward once they meet these requirements; however, you can choose to keep them rear-facing for a longer period of time. New research shows that infants are better protected this way and can remain rear-facing as long as 23 months.
If your child outgrows their bucket seat or portable infant seat before the age of two, it’s best to purchase a convertible seat that can remain rear-facing, as this would be safer and would provide you with peace of mind. Once they are over these limits, you can switch their seat so that it faces forward. Forward-facing seats must have a harness, and your child should remain in this seat until they reach the height or weight limit that would allow them to sit in a booster seat. The weight limit is generally between 40-65lbs, and the height limit is usually around 50”. After this, the child should ride in a booster seat until the seat belts in your vehicle fit properly. This can be around the age of 8, and the child must be at least 57 inches tall.
Children under the age of 13 must sit in the back seat, and it is recommended that they stay in the back seat for a longer period of time because the most common type of fatal vehicle crash happens from the front, and the force of the airbags can be dangerous and deadly to young kids. There is no rush in getting your child to sit in the front, so take your time and prioritize their safety.
Understanding the rules of the road and driving confidently are a must, and Central Driving School in Edmonton can help in this regard. Whether you require driving lessons, driver’s ED or a defensive driving course, we can help, so if you want to receive the right training from a reputable driving school, contact us today!