Safety system
Larger children
Seat belt use and children
Children under age 13 and who are too
large for a booster seat must always
occupy the rear seat and use the avail-
able lap/shoulder belts. A seat belt
should lie across the upper thighs and
be snug across the shoulder and chest
to restrain the child safely. Check belt fit
periodically. A child’s squirming could
put the belt out of position. Children are
afforded the most safety in the event of
an accident when they are restrained
by a proper restraint system and/or
seat belts in the rear seat.
If a larger child over age 13 must be
seated in the front seat, the child must
be securely restrained by the available
lap/shoulder belt and the seat should
be placed in the rearmost position.
If the shoulder belt portion slightly
touches the child’s neck or face, try
placing the child closer to the centre of
the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still
touches their face or neck, they need to
be returned to an appropriate booster
seat in the rear seat.
Infant and small children
Most countries have child restraint laws
which require children to travel in
approved child restraint devices, includ-
ing booster seats. The age at which
seat belts can be used instead of child
restraints differs among countries, so
you should be aware of the specific
requirements in your country, and
where you are travelling. Infant and
child restraints must be properly placed
and installed in a rear seat. For more
details, refer to the “Child Restraint
Systems” in this chapter.
WARNING
ALWAYS properly restrain infants
and small children in a child restraint
appropriate for the child’s height
and weight.
To reduce the risk of serious injury
or death to a child and other passen-
gers, NEVER hold a child in your lap
or arms when the vehicle is moving.
The violent forces created during an
accident will tear the child from your
arms and throw the child against the
interior of the vehicle.
WARNING
• Always make sure larger chil-
dren’s seat belts are worn and
properly adjusted.
Small children are best protected from
injury in an accident when properly
restrained in the rear seat by a child
restraint system that meets the require-
ments of the Safety Standards of your
country. Before buying any child
restraint system, make sure that it has
a label certifying that it meets Safety
Standard of your country. The restraint
must be appropriate for your child’s
height and weight. Check the label on
the child restraint for this information.
Refer to “Child Restraint Systems” in
this chapter.
• NEVER allow the shoulder belt to
contact the child’s neck or face.
• Do not allow more than one child
to use a single seat belt.
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