New National Carseat Legislation

Better Baby Deals has qualified child car restraint fitters who are happy to advise or clarify these rules for your children.  You are welcome to contact us if you have any questions about these new Laws.

Kids don’t grow up as fast as you think.

Child restraint laws are changing 1 October  2010

New child restraint legislation will come into effect on 1 October 2010. The changes to the laws will affect children aged 0-7 years and are designed to ensure that children are better protected when travelling in cars.

Why are child restraint laws changing?

Many parents are unwittingly graduating their children to adult seat belts too early. This seriously compromises their safety in the event of a crash. Every year, approximately 1,300 children are killed or injured on Australian roads. That equates to 14 child passengers aged between 0-16 years killed on Western Australian roads, with a further 220 seriously injured. New law changes will help ensure our children stay safer on our roads and reduce unnecessary suffering for WA families.

What does the current law say about child restraints?

Currently, Western Australian law requires children less than 12 months of age to be restrained in a suitable approved child restraint.  However, older children can be restrained in either an approved child restraint or a properly fastened seat belt, where one is available.

How are the laws changing?

An adult seat belt alone does not provide small children an adequate level of safety when travelling in a vehicle. The new laws will reduce the
risk of injury caused by the use of restraints that are unsuitable for the child’s age and size. They specify the type of restraint to be used at
different ages and where children must be seated in a vehicle.

Specifically, the new laws will require children:

• from birth up to the age of at least six months to be restrained in a rearward-facing child restraint (Newborn to at least 8kg)
• from six months up to the age of four years to be restrained in either a rearward or forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness (minimum weight 8kg up to 18kg)
• from four years up to the age of seven years to be restrained in either a forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness or booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened lap/sash seat belt or child harness (Age from 4 Years up  to 26kg)
• under four years must be in the rear seats of a vehicle if the vehicle has at least two rows of seats
• between 4 years and up to their 7th birthday are not permitted in the front seats of a vehicle, unless all rear seats are occupied
by children less than seven years of age

Children who are outside weight / size guidelines for existing restraints will be able to use the restraint type for the next age group.

Which restraint do I use for my child?

Children from birth to at least 6 months

• Children under six months must use an approved rearward-facing child restraint and travel only in the rear row (if your car does not
  have a rear row, this part of the rule does not apply).
• It is best for a baby to stay in a rearward-facing restraint as long as possible according to the weight limits of the restraint.  Some seats are suitable in the rearward position up to 9 or 12kg - depending on the seat model.

Children Ages 6 months to 4 Years (with a child no less than 8kg)

• Children grow at different rates between the age of 6 months and 4 years, so a child may use either a rearward-facing child restraint or a forward-facing child restraint which must have an an inbuilt harness.
• If your child is under 8kg at six months, you should keep your infant in the rearward postion.
• If your child has turned four years, is still under 18 kg and fits in the forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness, it is recommended to keep using this restraint.

Children Aged 4 to 7 years

• Children in this age group must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows unless all the other back seats are occupied by children who are also under seven years.
• A child must use either a forward-facing child restraint with add on child safety harness OR an approved booster seat with lap-sash seat belt.
• If you are using a seating position with a lap-only seat belt, you must also use an additional child harness.

Children over 7 Years

• Children seven years of age and over can use an adult seat belt as the law currently allows, however, if your child has turned seven years, is under 26 kg and still fits a booster seat it is strongly recommended to keep using a child restraint
• A Child Safety Harness can also be used for children over 7 years and up to 32kg

GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Like to find out more? For more information please visit www.childcarrestraints.com.au
or call 1300 780 713.