New laws for child restraints drive some families crazy
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday February 10, 2010
NEW laws for children's car seats will come into effect in just over a fortnight, yet some parents are confused about keeping their children safe while driving.At present, all children must wear a seatbelt and those under the age of one must be restrained in approved child seats.From March 1, the law will require that children up to the age of seven be restrained in appropriate seats.But some parents say they are concerned that the new laws have been little publicised and are unclear."All the laws are by age and car seats are by weight - you're using two different mechanisms," said Danielle, a mother-of-two from the eastern suburbs who did not want her last name published."For a small percentage of children the law could be putting them in a less safe seat."She said different agencies including the Roads and Traffic Authority could not tell her whether her car's in-built boosters were approved for Oscar, 6 and Neva, 3. "I've got a very tall six-year-old and if his eye level is higher than the back seat it's more dangerous for him to be in a [children's] car seat."Because she is under four, Neva, also tall for her age, must be secured in either a rear-facing or forward-facing restraint under the changes."I bought her a new booster - I actually am going to be breaking the law by having her in it ... my understanding is it's safer."A spokeswoman for the children's shop Baby Village at Bondi Junction said parents were asking about the changes but it was hard to recommend restraints or booster seats as it was unclear if some might become obsolete.A road safety officer at Kidsafe NSW, Vicki Milne, said parents did not understand the difference between seats."Forward-facing has the in-built harness. Parents are often buying the booster seat and accessory child safety harness and thinking that will comply."The acting Transport Minister, David Borger, said an education campaign will begin next week."If parents are currently transporting their child in a standards-approved restraint that is appropriate to their age and size, they are transporting their child safely," he said.From 2004 to 2008, at least five children aged under four were killed and 236 injured in crashes where restraints had not been fitted. Of children aged four to six who were not seated with a restraint, at least 11 died and 615 were injured, RTA figures show.There will be a four-month amnesty on enforcing the laws.THE CHANGESChildren younger than six months must be secured in a rearward facing restraint.Children aged six months to four years must be secured in either a rear or forward facing restraint.Children aged four to seven must be secured in a forward facing child restraint or booster seat.Children younger than four cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows.Children aged four to seven cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven in a child restraint or booster seat.Details: www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/children/childrestraintsRestraint fitting stations: 132 213
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