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Alberta's Traffic Safety Act and the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act contain regulations that describe the law as it pertains to occupant restraints (seat belts, child safety seats) as well as the fines associated with non-compliance. Click on one of the categories to learn more about Alberta law.
Seat Belts
Child Safety Seats
Booster Seats
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Seat Belts - In Alberta, the law requires wearing a seatbelt and it is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 16 years are properly restrained in the vehicle. If the passengers are not properly restrained, the driver may receive a seat belt fine. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $155.

The driver is responsible for ensuring children who weigh less that 18 kg (40 lbs.) are properly restrained in an approved child safety seat that has been properly installed.

As well, the Act specifies that you shall not remove a seat belt assembly, or render it partly or wholly inoperative. You are also not permitted by law to reduce the effectiveness of a seat belt assembly if the motor vehicle was equipped with the seat belt assembly at the time it was manufactured.
Both the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Provincial Traffic Safety Act outline regulations for seat belt use.

Click here for more about Seat Belts for older kids

Child Safety Seats - According to Alberta law, any child who is under the age of six years and whose weight does not exceed 18 kgs (40 lb.) must be properly restrained in a child safety seat according to the manufacturer's instructions. The child safety seat must be installed in the vehicle according to both the vehicle manufacturer's and child safety seat manufacturer's instructions. Child safety seats used in Canada must have a label on them stating that the seat meets Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

Traffic Safety Act, Vehicle Equipment Regulation, Alberta Regulation 122/2009: Sec. 80 & 82(1)(a)(b)(c)

Click here for more about Child Safety Seats

Booster Seats - There is no current law in Alberta that requires the use of booster seats. However, The Government of Alberta recommends that once a child graduates from a child safety seat that the child be in a booster seat until they turn nine or reach a weight of 37 kilograms (80 lbs.). Belt Positioning Booster Seats help position the seat belt properly on a child's body. The shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the child�s chest and the lap portion of the belt should touch the hips.

Click here for more about Booster Seats

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