Bub Hub Newsletter Article

newsletter article
home > newsletter articles > may 2008 > every child under 8, properly restrained, every trip

Every Child Under 8, Properly Restrained, Every Trip
Bub Hub E-Newsletter, May 2008, Issue 68 - Article 3

Most parents would happily stop their children from growing up too fast when it comes to most things; however when it comes to child restraints, parents are putting their children into adult seat belts well before they are physically ready.

Children in adult seat belts are 3.5 times more likely to sustain significant injury in a crash compared with children in a dedicated child restraint. RACV research indicates that 28 per cent of five year olds are travelling in adult seat belts. Seat belts are designed for adults and therefore do not offer enough protection for children. They can actually be harmful in the event of a crash.

Children are simply not big enough to be appropriately restrained by a seat belt alone. Their legs are not long enough to bend at the seat edge and so children slump, pushing the lap part of the belt up into the abdomen area instead of across the thighs. In addition, the sash part of the belt across the neck can result in serious injury in a crash.

While usage rates for restraints with infants and toddlers are quite high in Australia, the number of children between the ages of three and seven in booster seats is very low. This is disturbing, as it is just as important for older children to be correctly restrained as it is for younger children. Contrary to the belief of many children, "booster seats are not for babies".

Child restraints have many inbuilt safety features to protect a child's head and lower body, such as the wings on each side of the seat. Children in adult seat belts miss out on this customised safety that is designed specifically for their size and weight.

The law currently states that children under one year must be carried in an approved child restraint suitable for the child's size and weight, properly fitted and adjusted. It is then the driver's responsibility to ensure that passengers under 16 years of age are properly restrained in a seat belt or approved child restraint.

RACV recommends that children be kept in appropriate child restraints until the age of eight or until they are 140cm tall. This is supported by new child restraint laws that have been approved by Australia's Transport ministers, but are yet to be implemented in any Australian State or Territory. This reform will require that children up to 6 months old travel in a rearward facing infant capsule; then a forward facing child restraint until the age of 4; and a booster seat from 4 to 7 years old.

In addition, children under the age of 7 years will be required to be restrained in the rear seat of a vehicle, unless the child is aged 4 to 7 years and all rear seats are occupied by children under 7. RACV will provide further information when the legislation is implemented.

On average, 51 children aged 0-8 years are killed each year on Australia's roads. Some of these deaths may have been prevented by ensuring that these children were in correctly fitted, appropriate restraints.

To assist parents in determining the best restraint for their child, RACV has developed an online calculator. By simply entering in their child's age and weight parents will be directed to information about the appropriate restraint for their child.

In addition, parents will be able to access results from the RACV's Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP). Not all restraints are created equal. Some perform better than others in crash tests and in ease of use. The CREP program tests different types of restraints and different models, giving each a rating that consumers can use to help choose the safest option that meets their needs and priorities.

It is important that parents only purchase and use a restraint carrying the Standards Australia. Australia's child restraints are amongst the safest in the world but they not only need to be appropriate for your child's size and weight but also correctly fitted. Children travelling in correctly installed, appropriate child restraints are 70 per cent less likely to be killed or seriously injured in a car crash.

Many parents and carers fit a child restraint into their car themselves believing it to be easy. However, it is really a job that needs to be taught correctly by a restraint fitter.

Just as we wouldn't let our children play on their bikes without a helmet, we shouldn't let them travel in cars without offering them the best possible protection. This means having every child under 8, properly restrained, every trip.