Nova Scotia introduces new age-based child car seat rules
Effective Oct. 19, Nova Scotia's new Traffic Safety Act requires children to remain in rear-facing car seats until at least age two and in forward-facing harnessed seats until at least age four, making it the first Canadian jurisdiction to establish such age-based minimums.
New child car seat rules take effect in Nova Scotia on Oct. 19 under the province's new Traffic Safety Act, which replaces the Motor Vehicle Act.
Under the updated regulations, children must remain in rear-facing car seats until they are at least two years old and weigh more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Previously, the law required rear-facing car seats only until children were at least one year old and 10 kilograms.
Children must also remain in a forward-facing harnessed car seat until they are at least four years old and weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds). The previous rule for harnessed forward-facing car seats was strictly weight-based at 18 kilograms.
These changes make Nova Scotia the first province or territory in Canada to establish these age-based minimums in law. The updates align provincial legislation with national child safety recommendations and aim to increase protection for young children travelling in vehicles. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for children in Canada.
Mike Christian serves as the director of Traffic Safety Act implementation for Nova Scotia. Dr. Krista Jangaard is the president and CEO of the IWK Health Centre, and Katherine Hutka is a health promotion specialist with Child Safety Link.