Cellular phones and other distractions (continued)
Do not engage in activities that allow you to be distracted while driving. While all forms of distracted driving can be hazardous, the Traffic Safety Act includes fines and three demerits for certain distractions. These include:
- using a hand-held cell phone
- texting or e-mailing
- using electronic devices, such as laptop computers, video games, cameras, and video entertainment displays
- programming portable audio players
- entering information on GPS units
- reading printed materials in the vehicle
- writing, printing, or sketching
- personal grooming.
Securing passengers
In Alberta, all drivers and passengers must be properly secured in the vehicle with a seat belt or an approved child safety seat attached by a seat belt or an anchor system. Passengers 16 years of age and older not properly secured in the vehicle can be fined. As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that all passengers in your vehicle under 16 years of age are properly secured. You can be fined if they are not properly secured.
Child safety seats
A child under the age of six years and who does not weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds) must be properly secured in a child safety seat. The child safety seat must be installed in the vehicle according to manufacturer’s instructions of the vehicle and child safety seat. All child safety seats used in Canada must have a label on them that states the product meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Do not use a child safety seat unless it has this label. Do not use a child safety seat that is designed for use in countries other than Canada. There are various types of child safety seats available. Choose one that is right for your child’s age or weight.
Rear facing safety seats
From birth, all children must ride in either a rear-facing infant seat or a rear-facing convertible seat until reaching the recommended weight to switch to a forward facing safety seat, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All newer vehicles and child safety seats come equipped with the universal anchor system or UAS/LATCH. In older vehicles, the child safety seat must be properly secured into the vehicle using the seat belt. Check the instruction manuals for your vehicle and the child safety seat for more information.
Rear-facing child safety seat.