Highways and Public Works

Child Car Seat Safety

Transport Services is dedicated to providing Yukon drivers with the tools and the knowledge to help protect our children as much as possible while they travel the highway. Car seat safety is a major part of this process. Vehicle crashes are the number one reason for the death of a child under 10 in Canada with over 10,000 children killed last year. Many of these fatalities could have been avoided if the car seat was used correctly.

The most common mistake is to graduate your child to the next stage too early, this could be a fatal mistake. It has been proven safer to keep them in the lower stages as long as possible. i.e. Rear facing: if your car seat goes higher than 9kgs/20 lbs rear facing, it is safer to keep them in a rear facing seat as long as the seat allows then to switch  to a forward facing seat at one year and 9kgs/20lbs.

The limits on the stages are set MINIMUMS.

Stage One - Rear facing with harness system

Birth to when your child is both one year old and weighs more than 9kg/20lbs. This stage is rear-facing with harness system.

Stage Two - Forward facing with harness system

From when they graduate stage one until they are 22kgs/48lbs. This stage is forward facing with a harness system.

NOTE: The majority of car seat will only go up to 40lbs with a harness system, please read your car seat carefully. Also,  in the Yukon (especially once they are in a snow suit) a common complaint is that they grew out of the harness system This does not mean they are ready for a booster seat! Car seats are like clothes, made in various styles, sizes, heights etc. Find another seat that will fit your child while wearing winter clothes. If you are having problems with this call us and we will help.

Stage Three  - Forward facing with seat belt

Over 22kgs/48lbs to 4' 9" tall and/or 45kgs/100 lbs. This stage is a booster seat with the regular lap/shoulder seat belt.

In order to graduate from this stage, the child needs to be at least 145cm/4'9" and/or over 45kg/100lbs, and be able to fit the vehicle seat correctly. Many vehicles today have a number of adjusters built in to the vehicle and the seat belt please read and follow the vehicle's instructions.

Stage Four  - Seat belt

Over 145cm/4'9". This stage is just a seat belt.

Contact Car Seat Safety Program

Government of Yukon
Department of Highways and Public Works
Box 2703 (W-17)
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6

Phone: (867) 667-5832
Toll free (in Yukon): 1-800-661-0408, local 5832
Fax: (867) 667-5799
Email: road.safety@gov.yk.ca