While incorrectly wearing a seatbelt is not necessarily the cause of crashes, it does increase the severity of the injury if you are involved in a crash.
During a crash, wearing a seatbelt is the most effective way to prevent the driver and passengers from being thrown around in the vehicle, being thrown out of the vehicle, or hitting each other.
Drivers must ensure all passengers are properly restrained. That includes children up to the age of 7 sitting in a suitable child restraint for their age.
Below is a summary of the top ten steps for safer travel, and what can be done by those responsible for transporting children in motor vehicles to ensure their optimal safety. Each of these issues and the evidence that supports each of the best practice recommendations can be found in the detailed consumer guide, and associated national best practice guidelines publications. These are just some of the key ways to ensure the child/children you are transporting are optimally restrained on every trip. For further information contact your local road traffic authority or accredited restraint installer.
Always buckle up
The use of any restraint is preferable to not using a restraint.
Rear facing as long as they fit
Infants are safest if they remain in their rear facing restraint as long as they still fit in it.
Inbuilt harness as long as they fit
Once a child is too tall for their rear facing child restraint, they should use a forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness as long as they still fit in it.
Booster seat as long as they fit
Once a child is too tall for a forward facing child restraint, they should use a booster seat with a lap-sash seat belt until they are tall enough to fit properly into an adult seat belt.
Seat belt? Check 5
Have you taken the 5 step test? Your child will fit the seat belt in different cars at different ages. Does your child meet the 5 step test? If not they should remain in their booster seat.
Correctly fitted and adjusted
All child restraints and booster seats must be installed correctly and the child buckled in correctly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Safest in the back seat
Children 12 years of age and under are safest in the rear seat.
Is your car right for the job?
When planning any journey with children, use a motor vehicle which allows each child to be in the appropriate restraint for their size.
Accessorize correctly
Never add accessories to the restraint that were not provided by the manufacturer with the restraint.
Regular car seat check ups
Check your restraint regularly to ensure it is still installed correctly and adjusted for the child – an accredited restraint installer can help with this.
In Australia, road trauma is the most common cause of child injury death and second most common cause of injury related hospital admission for children aged 0 to 14 years. The good news is that you can reduce the risk of road trauma for children. The Kidsafe resources below have been developed to help guide parents, carers and professionals in all areas of road safety including driveway safety, car safety, child car restraints (car seats), fitting child restraints, dangers of hot cars, pedestrian safety, small wheeled devices (scooters, skateboards, etc.), and bike safety.
This guide contains information relating to driveway safety, car safety tips, fitting children’s car seats and restraints, the danger to children and infants in hot cars, and a car safety checklist. Pedestrian safety, small wheel devices and bicycle safety are also covered. Download the parents guide to Kidsafe roads.