The RCMP is telling motorists to adhere to regulations regarding child seats after a vehicle involved in a collision in Portage la Prairie yesterday was found to be in violation.

RCMP Const. Sean O'Keefe says officers responded to a two-vehicle incident at 7th avenue and 1st Street NW, close to La Verendrye School, around 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. One driver was charged for following too closely while the other vehicle did not have adequate child seats for the number of kids aboard.

Luckily, no one was injured.

“The fine in this instance is almost $300 for not having a child secured in either a car seat, booster seat or properly using a seatbelt, much like it is for an adult failing to wear a seatbelt,” explains Const. O'Keefe. “A child seat of any kind, being it forward-facing, rear-facing or a booster seat, provides extra protection for a child who may not be aware of what's going on around them.”

Manitoba Public Insurance lays out regulations for what is acceptable in Manitoba for child seats in vehicles, according to O'Keefe.

All children nine-years-old or younger, weighing 80 pounds or less need to be in a child or booster seat of some type. Regulations vary based on age and weight. O'Keefe says a rear-facing seat should be utilized for any child under 45 pounds, or any baby/infant. Forward-facing seats are meant for larger toddlers up to 65 pounds. A booster seat is for a child that exceeds 65 pounds.

“And a little bit of buyer beware, for anybody looking at car seats, especially if they're used or being handed down, ensure it hasn't been involved in a collision before and also (take note) that child seats do have expiry dates on them,” adds O'Keefe. “That could contravene safety regulations if a child is placed in a seat past its expiry date.”