The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon RCMP want you to buckle up. Police are half way through their STEP seatbelt enforcement campaign, which will run until October 5. "STEP is a highly-focused Selective Traffic Enforcement Program dedicated to a specific traffic activity," read an RCMP press release. "The STEP program will focus on non-use of seatbelts and child restraints through detection during regular patrols and at check stops." As part of the program, police will talk to students at the three Flin Flon elementary schools about the importance of seatbelts. Since January 1, traffic collisions in rural Manitoba have claimed the lives of more than 50 people Ñ 27 of whom were not wearing seatbelts, according to police. "Approximately 83 per cent of the unbelted drivers were ejected from their vehicles and all of the unbelted passengers were ejected from their vehicles," read the release. The current fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $100, but the province also plans to assess driver's license demerits for seatbelt infractions beginning November 1. Child seats Police ask the public to keep the following points in mind: In Manitoba, children weighing less than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) must be secured in a child restraint system. See 'Restraint' P.# Con't from P.# Each type of child restraint must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (check the label). From the first ride home from the hospital until the child reaches 20 pounds, an infant needs to be secured in an infant carrier or convertable car seat. The carrier should always be adjusted so that it is facing the rear of the vehicle, fastened securely by a lap belt. The seat should ideally be placed in the middle of the back seat. Toddlers (20 to 48 lbs. or nine to 22 kilograms) must be secured in either a convertable car seat, facing forward or in a child safety seat. Again, the seat should be positioned in the middle of the back seat. All child restraint devices in the toddler category have a tether strap that must be bolted through a structural part of the vehicle. In a passenger vehicle, the tether strap should be securely bolted to the floor of the vehicle. In vans and station wagons, bolt the seats to the floor of the cargo area. In trucks, bolt them through the rear wall of the cab. Regardless of the weight, if the child's ear lobes are above the top of the car seat, your child should instead by restrained with a regular seat belt to avoid whiplash. Children over 48 lbs. Children over 48 lbs. (22 kilograms) can wear a regular combination lap/shoulder belt, if the belt is properly positioned on the child's body. A booster seat may be used for this purpose. The best position for the child is in the centre of the rear seat, facing forward, with the lap belt over his or her hips, rather than over the stomach. The booster seat should be used until your child reaches a height that allows his or her ears to be above the back seat. The best way to teach a child the life-saving habit of buckling up, is by example. Fasten your seatbelt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
