Does Your Car Comply With the New Child Restraint Laws? - Only 40 Days Left

Kidsafe has urged all parents or people transporting children to make themselves aware of new child restraint laws which come into force in just forty days on November 9^th.

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 and booster seats incorrectly and prematurely graduate their children to adult seatbelts. Road safety incidents remain the leading cause of death in young children.

Dr Mark Stokes President of Kidsafe Victoria said, ?Many parents, grandparents or people who share the role of transporting other people?s children to school, may not be aware that their vehicles may need to be fitted with new or more restraints to comply.?

The new laws also clearly state where children are allowed to ride in the vehicle; this may require parents to change their current behaviour.

Dr Stokes said Kidsafe supported the new laws which will further help protect children if the vehicle is involved in a crash. 

The law will require all children under the age of 7 to use a child restraint or booster seat (depending on their age) and travel in the back seat. 

For many families with school age children this raises a number of questions such as:

• Does this mean my 6 year old will have to go back to using a booster seat?
• How can I carry four children under age 7 legally and safely?
• My 5 year old is too heavy for a booster.  What do we do?

Dr Stokes said Kidsafe Victoria is providing free 20 minute information sessions on the new child restraint laws, specifically targeting parents of children in the 4-7 year age bracket. The TAC funded seminars are designed to answer questions specific to each family?s situation, to ensure they are compliant with the new legislation.

These can be arranged in your local school/kindergarten/child care centre as part of October Community Safety Month; for further details contact Kidsafe on 9251 7725 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .