New regulations for seat belts in 2015

The federal government is tightening safety standards for new cars.

It says, as of September 2015, all new cars will need to have shoulder safety belts for the rear centre seat. Older model cars will not have to be retrofitted with shoulder belts. The government is also toughening standards for vehicle safety tests. It says tests will have to use female and child dummies as well as the usual male dummies. Tests will also have to be done at higher speeds. Transport Canada says the new requirements will improve vehicle safety and bring Canada into closer alignment with U.S. standards.