Highways and Public Works

Department Overview

Take a look and see

Are they over 4'9" and around 80 lbs?
Can your child sit all the way back against the back of the vehicle seat comfortably?
Do their knees bend over the edge of the vehicle seat while sitting properly?
Does the lap portion of the seat belt fit across the the top of the thighs/hips and not ride up to the stomach?
The shoulder belt portion goes across the chest bone and the middle of the shoulder? (NOT accross the neck and NEVER behind the back or under an arm)
Does child feel comfortable and will sit properly for the entire trip?

If you can answer yes to all these questions, then your child is probably ready for an adult seat belt.

Before starting, please consult your vehicle manual for seat belt information

The best location for any child under 12 is in the back seat. The contre back seating position is considered the safer place as it is the furthest away from any intruding vehicles or objects in the event of a collision. However this is not always possible as children require a lap/shoulder belt. If you have a pickup with no back seat, it is acceptable to place your child in the front.
All children under 12 should be in a lap/shoulder seat belt.
Place the lap portion of the seat belt over your child and secure in place, being sure it is positioned low and snugly over the child's hips. Ensure that the shoulder portion of the seat belt is sitting diagnally across the middle of your child's shoulder. If it does not, refer to your vehicle manual to see if you can adjust your seat belt position
Ensure that the midpoint of your child's ears is NOT above the back of the head rest or car seat.
If you child is riding in front of an air bag, please ensure that they sit up properly and stay out of the inflation zone.
Never place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back of your child. In the event of a collision these actions, could cause serious injury. For more information on collisions and car seats, visit our car seats and collisions page.

Add-on seat belt adjusters are not recommened as they use the lap belt to adjust the shoulder belt. By pulling down on the shoulder belt, the lap belt is pulled up. A lap belt riding up could cause severe internal and spinal cord injuries.
Some newer vehicles are equipped with a removable seat belt adjuster which is considered to be part of the original vehicle equipment and therefore acceptable for use.
Children should be encouraged to sit upright in the vehicle seat as sloughing increases the likelihood of the lap belt riding up above the pelvis which could lead to serious abdominal injuries in the event of a motor vehicle collision. If the child is slouching naturally while in the seat belt, it could be because their legs aren't long enough and do not bend with the seat, in this case the child should be moved into an appropriate booster seat.

Further information: