Road safety at every age: From children to seniors

How do you keep babies and young children safe on the road?

Babies are entirely dependent on their parents when it comes to car safety. From birth, it’s essential to protect them in the car and gradually teach them the right behaviours:

• Staying properly buckled up.
• Not throwing objects in the car or out the window.
• Avoiding yelling or distracting the driver.

These reflexes take practice, patience … and a good role model to follow.

What car seat or booster seat should you choose for your child?

Children must travel in a car seat suited to their weight and height, and oriented in the correct direction. Always consult:

• The seat’s instruction manual for installation details and the correct orientation based on age (forward-facing or rear-facing)
• Your vehicle owner’s manual

The SAAQ advises against using second-hand car seats, as their lifespan is limited (6 to 12 years). It’s better to recycle children’s car seats when they’re no longer needed.

Good to know: CAA-Quebec’s Mobility Advisory Services offer support to anyone looking for information on children’s car seats.

What bike trailers and seats are safe for children?

There are several models of child bike seats available (front, rear, with or without support). As with a car seat, you should choose a model suited to the child’s weight and compatible with the bike.

Road safety experts and the SAAQ recommend using bike seats and trailers for children aged 12 months and older. Children must be able to sit up on their own and wear a helmet. This isn’t a law, but a recommendation—and caution remains essential.

Tip: Installing a small mirror on the bike’s handlebars lets you keep an eye on your passengers without taking your eyes off the road.

Why introduce children to road safety early?

The earlier a habit is formed, the more it will stick for life. With children, the key is making road safety learning fun and engaging. Games, real-life scenarios, and regular repetition make it easier to retain the basic rules:

• Walking carefully near a street
• Following cycling rules
• Staying alert when playing near traffic
• Buckling a seatbelt in the car

This approach builds lasting reflexes. It can also lead children to join the school safety patrol to look out for their classmates.

How can teens develop good road safety habits?

Adolescence is often when young people take their first steps behind the wheel. It’s a key stage for young drivers to adopt safe driving behaviours.

To develop good reflexes, it’s important to:

• Know the Highway Safety Code and understand the rules that protect all road users.
• Avoid distracted driving, especially using a cell phone while driving, particularly for texting.
• Understand the increased risks associated with alcohol, drugs such as cannabis, and drowsy driving.

The choice of driving school and a good role model are crucial for building safe habits.

Even as a passenger, teens must learn to say no to a driver who is not fit to drive. These decisions strengthen their sense of responsibility and their safety on the road.

What are the road safety challenges for adults?

With experience comes the challenge of staying vigilant behind the wheel. Overconfidence can lead to risky behaviours, especially under the influence of alcohol. The consequences can be serious: accidents with victims, injuries, financial losses.

Distractions also affect adults: GPS, onboard computers, music, eating and drinking while driving. It all comes down to applying CAA-Quebec’s PAP method before leaving:

• Understandyour system.
• Pair your mobile device.
• Program before you go.

Additionally, vision may decline and night driving may become more difficult with age. It’s important to adapt and stay up to date with your knowledge to always comply with the Highway Safety Code. A judge will never dismiss a ticket due to ignorance of the law—that’s simply not an option.

Good to know: A few hours of personalized driving lessons with an instructor can make all the difference in regaining confidence behind the wheel.

How can seniors stay safe on the road?

Driving doesn’t depend on age, but on physical and cognitive abilities: vision, reflexes, and physical condition. Even though certain abilities may begin to decline as early as age 45, it is possible to adapt.

The CAA-Quebec Foundation offers the guide Safe driving has no age limit, which covers:

• The effects of aging on driving
• Vehicle adjustments (seat, steering wheel, seatbelt)
• Driving aids
• Choosing a suitable vehicle
• Preparing for driving

Why take a driving course after age 60?

The Highway Safety Code evolves over time. New road configurations sometimes require relearning. That’s why a driving course tailored to older drivers can be beneficial—for example, to better handle winter driving or navigating roundabouts.

What alternatives are available if you no longer drive?

If cognitive or physical abilities are no longer sufficient, other options exist to stay mobile: public transit, carpooling, taxis, and shuttles.

Good to know: Many people feared losing their independence when they handed over their keys. Instead, they discovered unexpected benefits: less stress, financial savings, and new social connections.

In short, road safety awareness is everyone’s responsibility. Through its research, conferences, and awareness initiatives, the CAA-Quebec Foundation contributes to saving lives and making roads safer for all users.