Aleksandra Natora, Manager of Kidsafe Victoria said, ?The new laws address the issue of appropriate child restraints which has been problematic for many years. They also reduce community confusion about which child restraint to use and preferred seating positions for transporting babies, toddlers and older children in cars.?

Evidence states that correctly fitted and used child restraints can reduce child death and serious injury by up to 70% in the case of a road crash, however studies also suggest that an alarming majority of drivers install or use child restraints incorrectly and prematurely graduate their children to adult seatbelts.

Ms Natora said, ?The new legislation is underpinned by latest research and provides people with firm guidelines for transporting children by tightening up the legal responsibilities for every driver who transports their own or other?s children."

The new laws will require drivers to make more considered and planned decisions about transporting children to ensure the law is not broken and to maximise child safety.

Kidsafe understands the new legislation may be challenging for many parents to comply with and the community will need time to adapt, however agrees the new legislation is needed to improve the use of optimal restraints to reduce child death and injury on Victorian roads.

In the interest of child safety, Kidsafe calls on anyone transporting children, especially those under 7 years of age, to check how they fit with the new laws and to update accordingly.

Public enquiries should be directed to:

VicRoads   www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/childrestraints  or call 1300 360 745

Kidsafe www.kidsafevic.com.au   or call 03 9251 7725  

The new laws:

1) Children must use rearward facing child restraint or capsule up to six months old.

2) Children from six months up to their 4^th birthday must use a rearward or forward facing child restraint with in-built harness

3) Children from 4 years up to their 7^th birthday must forward facing child restraint with in-built harness or booster seat

4) Children under 4 years are not allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two rows or more

5) Children between 4 years up to their 7^th birthday are also not allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two rows or more, unless all other back seats are already occupied by children under seven years.