Parents, friends and family can do better to keep children safe in cars: poll

Do other friends and family tend to take your children to summer camps or other activities? The BCAA is out with a reminder for you.

A survey conducted by Insights West, and released by BCAA Wednesday shows parents are worried other people driving their children aren’t clear about the rules on restraining children in cars.

The poll shows 74 per cent of parents said they’re concerned when they aren’t the ones behind the wheel, and a quarter say they’re not sure those driving know what their responsibilities are when travelling with children.

A survey from @BCAA shows with more #BC parents relying on others (carpools, other family) to drive their children around — perhaps to activities like summer camp or daycare, 74% of parents say they're worried about their child's safety when they're not behind the wheel. pic.twitter.com/BjxbgJoG0Q

— Ria Renouf ???? (@riarenouf) June 26, 2019

That could be a problem for parents with children in car seats or boosters in B.C.: 77 per cent of them expect their kids will be travelling in another person’s vehicle this summer, while almost half saying their kids are more likely than ever before to get into cars with other people.

Shawn Pettipas, BCAA’s Director of Community Engagement, says when it comes to children, everyone needs to be accountable.

“Rules basically state that whoever is driving the vehicle is responsible for that child, and liable for that child,” he says. “But at the end of the day, it really is the parents’ responsibility to make sure that that driver, whoever that is, knows those rules and responsibilities.”

Pettipas says the results are a concern, but unfortunately, they aren’t surprising.

“Parents call us with questions about relevant laws; we hear of children arriving home and excitedly telling their parents that they didn’t have to sit in their booster seat today or they got to ride in the front,” he says. “Naturally, this is an upsetting thing for a parent to hear.”

He says the best way to make sure children stay safe comes down to communication between parents and other drivers.

“They should ensure that those people know the laws, they know how to properly install a car seat, and that the child is in an appropriate car seat, and that the child is installed and secured in that seat properly,” he says.

You’re also encouraged to plan ahead by bringing your own booster or child car seat and install it before the trip.

If you’re using a hired service, like a taxi, the person riding with the child needs to ensure full responsibility for the child’s safety, and never expect the drivers of these services have knowledge of child passenger safety.

The latest numbers show motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of accidental death for Canadian children.