Using Car Seats in Taxis

I haven't been a grandpa for long, but little children are suddenly interesting for me again. They seem to catch my attention more easily and this was the case a few days ago while I was driving in Nanaimo. It leads me to ask, why aren't car seats used in taxis?

Child Unrestrained in Taxi

The little boy involved was sitting on his mother's lap while they rode in the back seat of a taxi. I couldn't see below his shoulders but he was either unrestrained or worse still, belted into the lap belt with his mother.

She was belted in, evidenced by the shoulder belt across her torso.

Why wasn't he in a seatbelt or car seat? Even though he is exempted from having to use them while riding in a taxi it would still be smart to do so.

Taxi Companies Don't Provide Car Seats

I contacted the taxi services and asked if they had a car seats that I could use if I brought a small child along on a taxi ride. No, we don't provide these was the response, but you are welcome to bring your own.

I suspect that the company is concerned, and rightly so, about legal liability if they provided the restraint and something happened because of it.

Parents Should Still Use Car Seats

However I do feel strongly that the parent or caregiver should be prepared to provide their own restraint. If not, then the child should at least be secured with a lap belt.

It might be an inconvenience but I would rather have that than a lifetime of thinking "I should have..."

Never Share a Seatbelt

Never, ever, under any circumstances put a child in the seatbelt with you!

Learn More

• Exemptions - Division 36.09 Motor Vehicle Act Regulations
• When Not to Use a Booster Seat - DriveSmartBC

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