Changes to child restraint laws ALL STATES

[Ozie]

Changes to child restraint laws

Every parent wants to know that they are using the correct child restraint for their kids when they're in the car.
But with new child restraint laws being introduced around Australia over the next twelve months, it's important to know how these changes will effect you.
These new laws make child restraints mandatory for kids under 7 years and are designed to improve car safety for little people and will assist in helping to keep your child safer in the event of a car crash.

Why are the laws being introduced?

Research has found that Australian kids are being moved into bigger seats and graduating to normal seatbelts before they're big enough to do so.
Adult seatbelts shouldn't be used on children under 7 years because they don’t fit properly over a small child’s lap and shoulder,
and exposes the abdomen and neck to serious injury in the event of a crash.
A child travelling in a car with a proper child restraint is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than one who isn’t.
Nothing else offers the same level of crash protection for your baby and child than a properly fitted child restraint –
it’s one investment that you can’t afford not to make.

What will the new laws mean?

The new laws will require children to be in an approved child restraint from birth up to 7 years and require:

* Children aged under 6 months to use an approved rearward facing restraint such as a baby capsule.
* Children aged between 6 months and under 4 years to use an approved rearward facing child restraint or a forward facing restraint.
* Children aged between 4 years and under 7 years to use an approved forward facing restraint OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

There are also new laws for where children can sit in vehicles:

* If a car has two or more rows of seats, children under 4 years must not travel in the front seat.
* Children aged between 4 and 7 years will not be permitted to sit in the front seat unless all other seating positions are already occupied by children under 7 years.

When do the new laws come into effect?

* Victoria - 9th November 2009
* NSW - 1st March 2010
* Qld - 11th March 2010
* WA - March 2010

The laws are also being introduced in other states (SA, TAS, NT) and will come into effect in early to mid 2010

What are the penalties?

Just like seatbelt laws, drivers will be fined and incur demerit points if passengers under 7 years are not wearing an approved child restraint.

What is an approved child restraint?

Approved child restraints and booster seats are those that meet the requirements of the Australian /New Zealand Standard 1754:2004.
When buying a restraint or booster, make sure the packaging displays the Australian standard sticker.

What if my child is too big or small for the restraint for their age?

The laws aim to cater for the majority of children, however if your child is too heavy or tall for the recommended restraint for their age, they can be moved to the restraint in the next age category.
Likewise, if your child is too small for their age-restraint it’s recommended that you keep them in the lower level restraint until they are big enough for the next level.

If my child is in a booster seat do they also need to be in a child safety harness?

Booster seats do not come with a child safety harness. Booster seats are designed to be used with a lap/sash seatbelt.
However, if your child is using a seating position fitted with a lap-only seatbelt then they must use a child safety harness.

What is the difference between an in-built harness and a child safety harness?

An in-built harness is part of the child restraint. It is suitable for children up to 18kg.
There are no in-built harnesses available for children over 18kg. A child safety harness is purchased separately.
It is suitable for children that are between 18kg and 32kg.

REMEMBER!
* Using a restraint correctly greatly increases your child's safety during a crash.
* Placing your child in a restraint that is designed for a larger/older child increases the risk of serious injury in a crash.
* It is illegal in some states to use a child restraint in the front passenger seat of a vehicle if a passenger airbag is fitted.
* Ensure the restraint is installed correctly. See a restraint fitter if in any doubt.
* Always use the top tether strap where required.
* Teach by example and always wear your seatbelt.
* When using a seat belt with a booster, ensure the seat belt is correctly fitted over the child’s shoulder.
* Move your child into a forward-facing restraint only when they no longer fit into a rearward-facing restraint.
* Move your child into a booster seat only when they no longer fit into a forward-facing restraint.
* Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

[Graham]

FYI in WA this is 4 demerits and an $800 fine I think if I remember correctly.

That is PER PERSON. Sometimes the person not wearing the belt will get the fine but the driver will get the demerit points.

We all drive with our seatbelts on anyway, so we shouldn't have to matter

Thanks Ozie for the information.

[Ozie]

Thanks Gra Gra. i think its important to be aware of this.
i have 3 kids under 10.

[aspir3]

I get so angry on this subject!

I have 2 girls, 4years old and 1 year old.

I bought the best seats and harnesses available and use them all the time.

Parents should not need laws to help keep their kids safe.

I drive a Transit van during the day and get to see in vehicles next to me and I often see kids with no belts on or very loose to alloy them to grab toys etc.

My kids are not allowed toys or food while in the car.

I have seen my niece throw a toy at my sister while she was driving because my niece did not like the song.

Kids are very vulnerable to choking and eating food could easily get stuck in their throat because of a bump.

The police and courts should do every thing they can to protect kids from irresponsible parents.

[billyboy]

Good your paying great attention Troy, sadly many dont until its too late.

Happen to catch ACA ( yeah I know…) a few weeks back they had a story on child restraints. They went to a shopping centre to interview mums on what seats they have & found a lot of them were incorrectly installed & belts were loosely tensioned so the child could easily wriggle out of it.

Probably the same parents that have that ‘Baby on Board’ sign, which really gets under my skin! The smugness!

[scraverX]

Passed this on to my brother. I can't remember the age of my nieces (how's that for shocking) but I do know one is definitely under 7.

Personally, I haven't had reason to travel with children under 7 in my car. On top of that my insurance doesn't cover drivers under 25 - no need for it too .

Good to see that members of the club are keeping abreast of such matters.

Troy, no food or toys while in the car... that would help save on cleaning... probably cuts down on fights/arguments too.

I remember when I was in this age range - maybe 4-5 up - my dad's car (1970's Volvo 244 GL) which we traveled around parts of Europe in had child safety harnesses fitted in the back for my brother and I to use and they were in there for some time after we got back to Australia.

[Defix9]

sorry.. wont happen again.

[LZY_EYE]

I bet you will change your tune when you actually have kids!! How do you transport kids around if they do not travel in the car??

[aspir3]

Hey all, sorry if this may offend anyone here but i personally think children shouldnt be aloud in cars at all. i dont fully drive yet but when i do im not letting a kid that is under 12 yrs old in it. all they do is complain, spill food/drink, make a mess. i hate being in a car with little kids. its always a mess and your most probobly sitting on a dried up milkshake stain or icey pole stain or something. and when your driving they are in the back screaming. makes me want to speed up into a tree.

Jake what a load of crock.

That is not the kids but the parents. Children will only behave the way you let them.My girls do not eat or drink in our cars and generally are always happy in the car. They look forward to the car as it means they are going some where to do some thing or see some one. As for the screaming they are more likely to snore as they often fall asleep.

I would bet my car is a lot cleaner then yours.

Your uneducated opinions are not called for and show a lack of maturity which probably means you are not mature enough to have a drivers license and drive on our roads!

[LZY_EYE]

A good example is my daughter. In my car she knows she is not allowed to eat or drink. She hardly ever complains, and half the time crashes.

Same kid in my dads car and she is allowed to do what she wants and it is trashed. So don't be blaming the kids like aspir3 said it is the adults

[spunkybob]

yeah it fully is the parents.

My nephew and nice were heaps ratty in my sisters car (there mum) but in my car they sat down and shutup.

There older now 13/14 so its doesn't apply anymore, but it is 100% how they have been brought up.

[Chubb]

Hey all, sorry if this may offend anyone here but i personally think children shouldnt be aloud in cars at all. i dont fully drive yet but when i do im not letting a kid that is under 12 yrs old in it.
...... makes me want to speed up into a tree.

<rant>
Mate I normally sit back and bite my tongue in this forum as I do know it is a public forum but you are a <b>bloody idiot</b> this is the second time this week you have proved it. I live in the country and had a 20km bus trip daily to school, would you recommend that I should have been home schooled until I was in high school

I am not a father nor am I a religious person but twice I found what you have said very offensive.

Please in the future think about what you are posting.
</rant>

[bd-850]

Not a parent either but damn man...

ive worked with kids for 5 years now and 3 of them was as an escort on a school bus, and let me tell you, blackmail works a charm