The leader of a national child-safety group is recommending that P.E.I. introduce automobile booster-seat legislation immediately.

'Don't wait for a law to do the safest thing for your child.'- Valerie Lee

Island children can start using adult seat-belts once they reach 40 pounds, but Valerie Lee, executive director of the Infant and Toddler Safety Association, said that's not acceptable.

Prince Edward Island had plans earlier this year to introduce booster-seat legislation. But Lee has been told those plans have been temporarily shelved. She said Island parents should not wait for the province to act.

"It's important that we tell parents, don't wait for a law to do the safest thing for your child. Get a booster now, use it, be ahead of the game," said Lee.

Ontario and Quebec have booster-seat legislation, and Nova Scotia has a new law ready to go Jan. 1. In Nova Scotia, children younger than nine or shorter than four feet nine inches tall will have to be strapped into a booster seat.

Lee said weight is not a good measurement when deciding if it's safe to use an adult belt. Children might meet the weight guidelines, but not be tall enough to comfortably fit under an adult belt, she said.