Who is responsible for ensuring child passengers are properly restrained?

The driver is responsible for ensuring that child passengers are properly restrained because they have direct control over the vehicle and its occupants. It is the driver's duty to follow safety regulations, including the proper use of child safety seats and seat belts. Legally, drivers are held accountable for the safety of all passengers in the vehicle, particularly children who may not be able to secure themselves properly. This responsibility includes checking that children are in appropriate restraints based on their age, weight, and height, which contributes to their safety in the event of an accident.

The other options do not hold the same level of accountability in relation to child passenger safety. Passengers may have some responsibility for their own safety, but it is primarily up to the driver to ensure that everyone is securely restrained. Vehicle manufacturers are responsible for providing safe equipment, but they do not directly ensure its use. Police officers enforce traffic laws, but they do not supervise how passengers are secured while driving. Thus, the driver's responsibility is clear in the context of child passenger safety.