Every year, about 10,000 children 12 or under are injured, some of them fatally, in traffic collisions in Canada. Surveys show that as many as one third of Canadian children are not properly restrained when they're travelling in motor vehicles.

The only way to protect children from the dangers of collisions or sudden stops is to restrain them properly.

This booklet tells you about the four stages of child safety in vehicles and gives you simple instructions and tips on making Car Time a safe time for children.

The "Kid Zone" is the rear seat of your vehicle — the safest place for kids aged 12 or under. Here they are as far away as possible from the dangers of a front-end collision. They are also far from the front-seat air bags, which can cause serious injuries or even death to these youngsters.

Statistics show that kids are 25 per cent safer in the rear seat. If your vehicle doesn’t have a rear seat, please check your owner’s manual, call the manufacturer, or call Transport Canada to find out how to make travelling with children as safe as possible.

If your vehicle is equipped with side air bags, you may also wish to refer to our fact sheet "How to Protect Children in Vehicles with Side Air Bags" available on our Web site or by calling our Information Centre.