15. Transportation of Children in Vehicles Section 15 Regulation 51 transportation of children in vehicles
Section 15 Regulation 51 TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES This regulation explains the policy and procedures that operators must have concerning transportation of children in vehicles. A Handbook for Early Childhood Programs 165
Section 15 TRANSPortation OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Regulation 51(1 Motor Vehicles and ATVs In this section, vehicle includes: (a a motor vehicle as defined in section 1 of the Motor Vehicles Act; and (b an all-terrain vehicle as defined in section 1 of the All-terrain Vehicles Act. Why To define the types of vehicles covered by this regulation: motor vehicles such as cars, vans, busses and trucks, and ATVs such as snow machines, trikes and quads. 166 Understanding the Child Day Care Regulations
Section 15 TRANSPortation OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Regulation 51(2 Transportation Policy An operator shall develop, post and circulate to the parents of children attending the child day care facility, and in the case of a centre day care facility, to each staff person, a transportation policy that includes the following information: (a the amount of liability coverage in respect of bodily injury or death in the motor vehicle liability policy carried on each vehicle regularly used by the operator for the transportation of children attending the facility; (b the safety requirements developed by the operator for the use of vehicles for the transportation of children attending the facility. Why To ensure the safe transportation of children, staff and volunteers when travelling in vehicles. To protect the operator and staff through liability insurance. To ensure that parents and staff know: how much liability insurance the vehicles have, and the operator s safety procedures when transporting children in vehicles. What it means operator must have a written policy for transporting children in vehicles such as cars, vans and buses, snow machines and other ATVs. policy must state how much liability insurance an operator has for any vehicles regularly used to transport children. This means: if the operator owns vehicles or usually rents from the same bus company, for example, then the policy would need to include the amount of liability insurance on those vehicles, but if the operator does not own any vehicles and relies on taxis, or perhaps various parent volunteers, to transport children on field trips, the operator would not be required to include the amount of liability insurance on those vehicles. policy must the state the safety requirements that the operator has in place for the safe Operators If transportation of children, whether vehicles are regularly used or not. operator must post the transportation policy and give it to parents. of centres must also give the policy to each staff person. the operator never transports children in vehicles, the operator still must have a written policy, saying that children will not be transported in vehicles while attending the facility. Related regulations ÙÙ11(2(l: child s application for enrolment requires written permission from the parent for the Ù child to be taken on excursions. Ù11(2(m: If the facility provides or arranges transportation in a vehicle for excursions, the application for enrolment requires written permission from the parent allowing the child to be transported in a vehicle. A Handbook for Early Childhood Programs 167
Section 15 TRANSPortation OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Regulation 51(2 Transportation Policy How to Make sure you have enough liability insurance on any vehicles regularly used to transport children, staff and volunteers. Ask your insurance company how much is enough. Consider how you will keep children safe when travelling in vehicles and include that information in the policy. For example: child seats, booster seats or seat belts for each child depending on their weight, helmets for each child if travelling on a snow machine, quad or in a sled/trailer, parent and other volunteer drivers with a good driving record, an extra adult, in addition to the driver, to monitor children, sign saying Caution: Children on Board, communication system, such as cell phone or CB radio, to call for assistance in case of an emergency, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, emergency contact information, seat belt cutter for emergency evacuation. Resources Well Beings: A Guide to Health in Child Care (3rd edition Chapter 6: Transportation Safety Order from www.caringforkids.cps.ca > Bookstore 168 Understanding the Child Day Care Regulations
Section 15 TRANSPortation OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Regulation 51(3 Safe Driving An operator shall comply with, and shall take measures to ensure that each staff person and volunteer complies with, the Motor Vehicles Act or the All-terrain Vehicles Act, as the case may be, while transporting children who attend the child day care facility. Why To ensure the safe transportation of children when travelling in vehicles. What it means operator must comply with the Motor Vehicles Act and/or the All-terrain Vehicles Act while transporting children who attend the facility. operator must take measures to make sure staff and volunteers comply with the Motor Vehicles Act and/or the All-terrain Vehicles Act while transporting children who attend the facility. How to Measures you can take to ensure that staff and volunteers drive according to the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act: include safe driving as part of staff orientation and training, verify drivers licences, verify insurance and registration, ask about a staff member s driving record. How long have they been driving? Have they been in any accidents while driving? Have they been charged with an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act? (A staff member s driving record could affect the operator s insurance rate if they are driving a vehicle owned by the operator. Measures you can take to ensure that staff and volunteers drive according to the requirements of the All-terrain Vehicles Act: use mature, experienced drivers who know their vehicle and the area where they will be travelling, use only vehicles that are in safe operating condition, including breaks and lights, use only vehicles that meet the requirements of any local by-laws, such as registration, drive in single file, carry only the number of people a vehicle is designed and equipped for, have passengers get off/out when the vehicle is crossing a road. When in doubt, don t allow any staff member or volunteer to drive if you have concerns about the person s driving skills. It s better to have a disappointed or upset staff member or volunteer than an injured child. A Handbook for Early Childhood Programs 169
Section 15 TRANSPortation OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Regulation 51(3 Safe Driving Resources Principles of Safe Driving Observe speed limits. Always wear your seat belt and make sure children are properly restrained in car seats, booster seats or seat belts. Make sure the method of securing the child matches child s size. (See Regulation 51(4. Don t carry more passengers than you have seat belts or restraint systems for. Don t allow children to get out until it is safe for them to do so. Make sure the engine is off whenever you are parked or getting fuel. Make sure you are not under the influence of alcohol or any medication that could affect judgement and reaction time. Don t smoke. Avoid distractions such as using mobile phones or adjusting the radio. Stay focused and be alert to situations that require quick action. Transport Canada www.tc.gc.ca > Road Transportation > Road and Motor Vehicle Safety > Safe Vehicles > All-Terrain Vehicle Safety 170 Understanding the Child Day Care Regulations
Section 15 TRANSPortation OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Regulation 51(4 Seat Belts, Car Seats and Vehicles Without Seat Belts An operator shall provide information to the parent of each child attending the child day care facility in respect of whether the child, while being transported in a vehicle, will be secured in a child restraint system or a seat belt assembly, or if the child will be transported in a bus or other vehicle not equipped with a seat belt assembly. Why To ensure that parents are aware of how children will be secured when travelling in vehicles. What it means This regulation applies to operators who transport children in vehicles. operator must tell the parent of each child how the child will be restrained while travelling a vehicle. Depending on the size of the child this means: rear facing infant seat, or forward facing child seat, or booster seat with seat belt, or seat belt, OR operator must tell parents if children will be travelling in a bus or other vehicle that does not have seat belts. How to Make sure any restraint system is properly installed and used i.e. according to the manufacturer s instructions. Provide, or ask the parent to provide, the child restraint system that matches the child s weight. Resources Well Beings: A Guide to Health in Child Care (3rd edition Chapter 6: Transportation Safety Order from www.caringforkids.cps.ca > Bookstore Transport Canada www.tc.gc.ca > Road Transportation > Road and Motor Vehicle Safety > Safe Drivers and Passengers > Child Safety > Car Seats, Seat Belts and Your Child > Child Restraint and Booster Cushion Notices Section Resources Car Seat Safety...R15-1 A Handbook for Early Childhood Programs 171
Section 15 TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Car seat safety Regulation 51(4 Seat Belts, Car Seats and Vehicles Without Seat Belts 28/09/12 3:27 PM Advanced Search Car seat safety Every year, more than 2500 children between the ages of 1 and 4 years are injured or killed in car collisions in Canada. Many injuries or deaths can be prevented with the right use of car seats and booster seats. What type of car seat should I use? Infants should be in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh 10 kg (22 lb. Rear-facing car seats should be used as long as your child meets the weight and height limits in the manufacturer s instructions, even if they are beyond 1 year of age. Don t rush to move them to the next stage. Even young toddlers are safer in the rear-facing position. Some rear-facing car seats can be used for children up to 20 kg (45 lb. Once your child has outgrown her rear-facing car seat and is at least 10 kg (22 lb and older than 12 months, you can begin to use a forward-facing car seat. Use it until your child is at least 18 kg (40 lb. Forward-facing car seats with higher weight limits are now available (up to 30 kg [65 lb] for larger toddlers and preschool-aged children. When your child is at least 18 kg (40 lb, he can move to a belt-positioning booster seat and use the vehicle s lap-shoulder seat belt. Don t use your car s regular seat belt until it fits your child correctly. This is usually when your child is approximately 36 kg (80 lb in weight, and 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches tall. All children younger than 13 years of age should ride in the back seat of the car. http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/car_seat_safety Page 1 of 4 A Handbook for Early Childhood Programs R15-1
Section 15 TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Car seat safety Regulation 51(4 Seat Belts, Car Seats and Vehicles Without Seat Belts 28/09/12 3:27 PM A Infant seat with base B 3-in-1 convertible seat infant/ child/booster seat C Infant/child/booster seat D Child/booster seat E Backless booster seat F High-back booster seat G Combination (child/booster seat belt-positioning booster seat mode. Before using your car seat: Keep a copy of the manufacturer s instructions in your car and follow them carefully. As many as 80% to 90% of car seats are used incorrectly. Make sure the car seat is right for your child s weight and height. best place for a car seat is in the middle of the back seat. When installed, the car seat should move no more than 2.5 cm (1 inch forward or side to side. Check whether your local fire, police or public health department has a car seat clinic where you can make sure your car seats are properly installed. How do I use an infant or rear-facing car seat? Your car may have the Universal Anchorage System (UAS or LATCH [lower anchors and tethers for children] that can be used to secure your rear-facing car seat. It is now mandatory in all new models. Check your vehicle owner s manual for the seating positions that can be used with the UAS. Secure the car seat using the UAS or the vehicle seat belt, carefully following the vehicle manual and the car seat instructions. In some vehicles you need to use the vehicle s seat belt with a locking clip to securely install a rear-facing car seat. seat should be positioned at a 45 angle. If you can t do this because of the slope of the vehicle s seat, use a firm roll of cloth (sheet or towel or a pool noodle under the seat. http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/car_seat_safety Page 2 of 4 R15-2 Understanding the Child Day Care Regulations
Section 15 TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Car seat safety Regulation 51(4 Seat Belts, Car Seats and Vehicles Without Seat Belts 28/09/12 3:27 PM To secure your baby: harness straps must be snug and threaded at or just below your baby s shoulders. chest clip should be at armpit level. If more than one finger fits between the shoulder harness and your baby s collarbone, the harness is too loose. seat handle should be in the position recommended by the manufacturer. If you use an infant carrier outside of the vehicle: Keep your child buckled in. Don t put the seat on a raised surface, such as a table, because it may fall. Don t leave your baby in a car seat to sleep. How do I use a forward-facing car seat? Your car may have the Universal Anchorage System (UAS or LATCH [lower anchors and tethers for children] to secure your forward-facing car seat. It is now mandatory in all new models. In some vehicles, you will need to use the vehicle s seat belt with a locking clip to securely install a forward-facing child seat. A top tether strap must be also used on all forward-facing child seats. A tether strap is attached to the top of the car seat and fastened to an anchor that is bolted to the vehicle. You will need one tether anchor for each forward-facing child seat used in the vehicle. If your vehicle doesn t have a tether anchor, ask your vehicle dealer to install one. Thread the seat belt or UAS strap through the child seat as shown in the seat s instructions. Use your knee to push down on the child seat while you tighten the seat belt or UAS strap. Attach the tether strap to hold the top of the child seat in place and tighten the strap. To secure your toddler: harness straps should be at or slightly above your child s shoulders. Only one finger should fit between the harness strap and your child s collarbone. chest clip should be at armpit level. How do I use a booster seat? While seated in the booster seat, and with the lap-shoulder belt on, the shoulder portion of the seat belt should be positioned over the middle of the collarbone so that it does not touch your child s neck. lap belt should be over the hips (pelvic bones, away from the stomach. Your child should be able to bend her knees comfortably over the edge of the seat. Buckle the seat belt across the booster seat even when your child isn t with you. This will keep the seat in place during a collision or sudden stop. Is it okay to buy a used car seat? You shouldn t buy a used car seat because it may have been in a collision. When should I replace my child seat? Many car seats now have expiry dates on them because of plastic fatigue (parts get more brittle or break easily. Replace the seat when it has reached the expiry date. If there is no expiry date, replace the seat if it is 10 years old or if it shows any cracks or damage in the plastic. Never use a car seat that has been in a car crash, even a minor one. Are there any other safety tips? Don t use any add-on features for car seats that are not provided by the manufacturer, such as a bunting bag, head-hugger, tray or comfort strap. se can affect the safety of the seat and can be dangerous in a collision. If it is cold, tuck a blanket over your child after he is secured. Don t put anything under or behind his body. Never leave your child alone in the car. Always ensure that the locking clip remains attached to the car seat when the UAS is used to secure the seat. This allows for the clip to be available if the seat needs to be secured into a vehicle that doesn t have the UAS. Fill out and mail the registration card that comes with your child s car seat. If there is a recall, the company will be able to contact you. http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/car_seat_safety Page 3 of 4 A Handbook for Early Childhood Programs R15-3
Section 15 TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES Car seat safety Regulation 51(4 Seat Belts, Car Seats and Vehicles Without Seat Belts 28/09/12 3:27 PM More information from the CPS: Transportation of infants and children in motor vehicles, a statement of the Canadian Paediatric Society. Other resources: Safe Kids Canada: Car seat information Transport Canada: Safety in the car Reviewed by the following CPS Committees: Injury Prevention Committee Last updated: January 2011 This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. re may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. Canadian Paediatric Society 2305 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, Ont. K1G 4J8 Phone: 613-526-9397, fax: 613-526-32 Copyright 2012 - Canadian Paediatric Society www.cps.ca - info@cps.ca http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/car_seat_safety Page 4 of 4 R15-4 Understanding the Child Day Care Regulations