CHILD SEAT LAWS IN THE USA & CANADA

Regardless of the type of car we own and where we drive it, young children are especially vulnerable to injury during car accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among people ages 2-14. In addition, many parents are surprised to learn that seat belts do not restrain children until they are between 8 and 12 years old.

Much like seat belts, the benefits of using a child seat correctly and fixing devices in the car are unquestionable. They protect the child’s physical integrity, reduce the index of injuries and mortality, prevent the little ones from motion sickness, dangerous behavior in the car, and possible driver distraction.

Statistics show that many children are not restrained correctly in car seats or other restraint systems. For this reason, the governments of countries such as Canada and the United States have implemented legislation to which child seats must adhere.

Laws are not the same worldwide regarding child car safety. Instead, there are laws at the country, regional, or even continental level, as the European Union. So, for example, in the United States and Canada, as they are neighboring countries, it is to be expected that there will be similarities in their child seat laws.

The Canadian government, for instance, requires car seats to include the Canadian national safety mark (NSM) along with other safety precautions and offers educational car seat clinics nationwide. In the case of the US, compliant child seats should include a safety label certifying their use in motor vehicles and aircraft.

And just as there are similarities, there are also differences when comparing child seat laws between states in the US and Canadian provinces. Car seat and booster seat regulations vary by country, provincial, and state standards in these two North American nations. In addition, even some states and provinces don’t have specific safety system provisions after 3 or 4 years.