What the Law Says

The laws protect you and your loved ones

Perhaps you’ve slipped behind the wheel without buckling up or maybe you’ve driven through a school zone above the posted 30 km/h speed limit. But the laws are there to protect you and your loved ones. It’s important for you to know what they are.

Seat belt use is required

Seat belts save lives and that’s why seat belt use is required by law in BC. Make sure you buckle up, even for a short trip to the corner store. And ensure that all adults and children are also appropriately restrained in your vehicle. On July 1st,  2008, new child seat regulations for children under 9 years of age came into effect.

Child seat use is required

Just like seat belts, child seats also save lives and that’s why their use is required by law in BC. On July 1, 2008, new regulations came into effect to strengthen the existing ones to provide more protection for children in BC. They will require all drivers to be responsible for transporting children in an age-and weight-appropriate child car seat until they reach their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145cm (4’9”) tall.

BC’s new child passenger regulations will align with the best practices and provide more protection to children in BC. Ensure that your child is always properly restrained – no matter who is driving.

July 1, 2008 new regulations

Following is a brief, plain language summary of the new regulations that came into effect July 1, 2008:

  • All drivers are responsible for complying with all child car seat requirements.
  • Children are to be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they are a least one year old AND 9kg (20 lb.). They may remain in the rear-facing position until they reach the upper weight limit for the safety seat. Rear-facing child car seats must never be used in a passenger seating position with an active front airbag.
  • Children who are at least one year old AND at least 9 kg (20 lb.) to be secured in a forward-facing child car seat until they are at least 18 kg (40 lb.).
  • Children at least 18 kg (40 lb.) are to be secured in a booster seat in a seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder harness, or up to their 9th birthday unless they have reached 145cm (4’9”) tall.
  • Children who have passed their 9th birthday or are at least 145cm (4’9”) tall, must be properly restrained by an adult seat belt.

Driving around schools and playgrounds

Did you know that there are a number of special regulations that govern driving around schools and playgrounds? It’s important to be aware of and to follow these laws in order to protect our children.

School zone speed limits of 30 km/h are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days. Even on highways where marked, school zone speed limits of 50 km/h are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days when children are on the road or shoulder.

Want to know more?

There are a number of other important rules that you should also be aware of. The Richmond School District’s website has an excellent page on Traffic Safety Around Schools and Playgrounds. It covers regulations, penalties and safety tips.