Final answer:
The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring all passengers under age 16 are properly secured with a safety belt or appropriate child restraint to ensure road safety and reduce the risk of injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The person responsible for ensuring that all passengers under age 16 are secured by a safety belt or child restraint system is typically the driver of the vehicle. In many jurisdictions, traffic laws specifically state that the driver has to ensure all passengers abide by the local seatbelt and child restraint regulations.
It is an important part of road safety, as it significantly reduces the risk of injury or death in the event of an accident. Just as airline companies survey flights to have adequate safety equipment for babies, the aim of these motor-vehicle laws is to protect younger passengers who might not be capable of taking the necessary safety precautions on their own.