Child restraint laws are changing

Choosing and using child restraints and booster seats

Contents
Introduction Western Australias new child restraint and booster seat rules Children under 6 months Children aged 6 months to under 4 years Children aged 4 to under 7 years Pregnancy Correct use of a seatbelt Choosing a child restraint or booster seat Hiring a child restraint or booster seat Second-hand child restraints and booster seats Child restraints and booster seats from overseas Safely restraining your child Children under 6 months Choosing a rearward-facing child restraint 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 10 10 What is available Fitting a rearward-facing child restraint Adjusting a rearward-facing child restraint Using a rearward-facing child restraint Children aged 6 months to under 4 years Choosing a forward-facing child restraint What is available Fitting a forward-facing child restraint Adjusting a forward-facing child restraint Using a forward-facing child restraint Children aged 4 to under 7 years Choosing a booster seat What is available Fitting a booster seat 11 12 13 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 Using a booster seat Child harness Children aged 7 years and over Restraint tting services Safety habits and measures Travelling in taxis Exemptions Penalties Developing passenger safety habits Other safety measures Children with additional needs Restraint manufacturers and distributors 20 21 22 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 26

Roads Corporation trading as VIC Roads.

Introduction
New child restraints laws will affect children aged 0-7 years. The changes to the laws are designed to ensure that children are better protected when travelling in cars. Use this information to be prepared before the laws change. Research shows that seatbelts which are designed for adults, are not suitable for young children. They are much safer in purpose-designed child restraints and booster seats. The laws also ensure that children travel in the safest position in the carin the back seat whenever possible. This booklet will help you to:

understand WAs new child restraint road rules choose safe restraints for your growing child decide when to move your child to the next type of restraint develop good car safety habits for your child.

Western Australias new child restraint and booster seat rules

Children need to use different restraints as their bodies grow. They will begin with a rearward-facing child restraint, progress to a forward-facing child restraint and then graduate to a booster seat before using an adult seatbelt when they are tall enough.

Children under 6 months:

Must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows. Must use an approved child restraint that is: rearward-facing properly tted to the vehicle adjusted to t the childs body correctly.
For more information, see page 10.

Children aged 6 months to under 4 years:

Must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has a back row or rows. Must use EITHER an approved rearward-facing child restraint OR a forwardfacing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness that is: properly tted to the vehicle adjusted to t the childs body correctly.
For more information, see page 14.

Children aged 4 years to under 7 years:

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 7 years. Must EITHER use a properly fastened and adjusted forward-facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness, OR use an approved booster seat and be restrained with a properly fastened and adjusted seatbelt or child harness.

For more information, see page 18.

Pregnancy
Being pregnant is no reason to not wear a seatbelt. A properly tted seatbelt will protect both you and your unborn baby in a crash. If you have a medical condition or disability that makes it unsafe for you to use a seatbelt, you will need a certicate from a registered medical practitioner that states why and for how long you cannot use a seatbelt. You will need to carry the certicate whenever you travel by car and produce it when asked by a police ofcer or other authorised person.

Correct use of a seat belt

Place the lap part of the seatbelt:

over your upper thighs across your hips below your baby.

The sash should not rub against your neck or upper arm. Many cars have adjustable sash positioning arrangements to prevent this. You can also use a seatbelt sash guide available from restraint tting services. Make sure:

Place the sash part of the seatbelt: over your shoulder diagonally across your body between your breasts above your baby.

no part of the seatbelt is twisted all slack is removed by pulling rmly on the sash part of the seatbelt after you have buckled up.

Choosing a child restraint or booster seat

It is important to consider the following when choosing a restraint for your child:

Approved child restraints and booster seats meet the requirements of the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 1754. This should be marked on the packaging and the restraint. Some convertible child restraints in the rearward position and larger booster seats do not t well in smaller cars. The seat contouring in some cars can also affect how well some restraints may t. A bulky restraint, especially in the rearward position, can push the front seat so far forward that a passenger may be too close to the dashboard. Some restraints have a recline position for when your child sleeps. You may need to make sure you can accommodate additional restraints for other children you may transport. Some restraints are easier to install than others. The Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) tests current products for how well they protect a child in a crash and how easy they are to install. Visit racv.com.au. Booster cushions, that is seats with no backs, do not provide any side impact protection, and are not recommended for use in seating positions next to doors/windows. A seatbelt sash guide on a booster seat will position the seatbelt so that it sits properly on the childs shoulder. To prevent a child from slipping under the seatbelt in a crash (sometimes called submarining), some booster seats use a clip which attaches to the lap part of the seatbelt and others use the design of the base of the seat itself.

If possible, try before you buy and satisfy yourself that the restraint will be suitable for you, your vehicle and your familys circumstances.

Hiring a child restraint or booster seat

Approved rearward-facing child restraints, forwardfacing restraints and booster seats can be hired through Kidsafe WA, the WA branch of the Red Cross as well as some private companies. Information can be found in the hire section of the telephone directory. You will need to book in advance.

Second-hand child restraints and booster seats

If you are offered the use of a second-hand child restraint or booster seat, ensure that you check:

that it is approved its age and condition its history that it is not more than 10 years old that all the parts, including the instruction booklet, are included.

If you are offered a second-hand restraint, ensure you know its history.

Older restraints may not provide as much protection in a crash. Manufacturers do not recommend the use of restraints that are over 10 years old. In Western Australia, it is legal to use restraints which comply with any version of the Australian/New Zealand Standard 1754 for child restraints from 1991 onwards. If you are unsure of the age of your restraint, contact the restraint manufacturer.

Do not accept a child restraint or booster seat that has:

Child restraints and booster seats from overseas

Overseas restraints do not usually comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 1754. Unless there is a sticker on the child restraint or booster seat, and wording on the packaging that states that it complies with AS/NZS 1754, it is not an approved restraint and therefore not legal to use.

been in a crasheven if there is no obvious damage splits or cracks or large stress marks in the restraint shell straps that are frayed, worn or damaged been used for over 10 years a buckle that does not work smoothly.

If the restraint instruction book or any parts of the restraint are missing, you should contact the manufacturer. See pages 267 for details of manufacturers and distributors. If you are unable to obtain the instruction booklet, a restraint tting service will be able to advise or t the restraint for you. See page 23 for more information.

Safely restraining your child

There are many different types of child restraints and booster seats. Taking the time to read through this booklet will help guide you in choosing the child restraint or booster seat that is suitable for your childs age, weight and height. Some restraints can only be used for a single purpose, for example, rearward-facing. Convertible and combination restraints may be suitable for families who need exibility.

Convertible means the restraint can be used as a rearward- or forward-facing restraint with inbuilt harness. Combination means it can be used as a forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness or as a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt.

If you are using a booster seat in a lap-only seatbelt seating position, you must also use an additional child harness; otherwise check with the vehicle manufacturer or seatbelt installer to see if your lap only seatbelt can be replaced with a lap-sash seatbelt. Booster seats are labelled as suitable for children weighing 1426 kg. This has resulted in children being moved into booster seats too early. Forward-facing child restraints with inbuilt harnesses are designed for children up to 18 kg. For the average child this is around 4 years. If your child is 4 and still weighs under 18 kg, it is recommended to keep using the forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness until they reach 18 kg. Remember as you read through this book that children grow at different rates. This means that children of the same age may have different restraint needs.

For most children under 18 kg, it will be difcult for a seatbelt with a booster seat to t properly.

Children under 6 months

Children under 6 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 does not apply. However, a rearward-facing child restraint cannot be used in the front seat where there is a passenger airbag. A rearward-facing child restraint allows a child to lie down and, in a crash, gives support and protection to the head and neckthe most vulnerable parts of a childs body.

Choosing a rearward-facing child restraint

Start early. Choosing your childs rst restraint can be a challenge as there are so many to choose from. You may need to visit a restraint tting service for advice and installation. Some vehicles need to be modied or you may need some additional accessories. There are four kinds of approved rearward-facing child restraints: Single purpose (rearward-facing only) 1. upper weight limit of 9 kg 2. upper weight limit of 12 kg Convertible (can be used as a rearward- and forward-facing child restraint) 3. upper weight limit of 9 kg in a rearward position, 18 kg for forward-facing 4. upper weight limit of 12 kg in a rearward position, 18 kg for forward-facing.

10

11

What is available
Approved rearward-facing child restraints Below is a list of approved rearward-facing (single purpose) and convertible (rearward- and forwardfacing) child restraints available in Australia at the time of printing. Rearward-facing (single purpose)
Model Baby Safety Capsule Chicco KeyFit Cruiser Infant Carrier Snap n Go Baby Safety Carrier Strider Infant Carrier Unity Infant Carrier One Safe Infant Carrier Delta Infant Carrier Orion Infant Carrier Primo Viaggio Baby Carrier Weight Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Maker Safe-n-Sound Cleo, Focus Bambino Steelcraft Babylove Steelcraft Safe-n-Sound Milan, Capri Safety 1st Hipod Steelcraft Peg Perego Turnatot, Turnatot Deluxe, 360o Carrera, Emperor, Nomad Twilight Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Up to 9 kg Infa-Secure Mothers Choice ZuZu Up to 12 kg Hipod Guardian Plus, Super Safeguard Hybrid Meridian AHR, Platinum AHR Premier, Royale Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Go Safe Safe-n-Sound Cargo Safe-n-Sound Safe-n-Sound

Convertible (rearward- and forward-facing)

Model Compaq Deluxe, Empire Ezyswitch, Conquest F1-304 Grande, Delta, Ultimate Galaxy, Safe Keeper, Sleep-n-Recline Weight Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Up to 12 kg Maker Safe-n-Sound Babylove Babylove Safe-n-Sound

Keep your baby in the rearward-facing child restraint until they reach its maximum weight limit.

Visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/ChildRestraints for the current list of products.

Note: Weight limit is for the rearward-facing position only. All convertible restraints have a weight limit of 18 kg in the forward-facing position.

11

Fitting a rearward-facing child restraint

First you must install your restraint correctly. It must not be used on vehicle seats that face rearwards or sideways. The manufacturers instructions show you where the seatbelt should pass through the restraint. If you have a convertible restraint, make sure you follow the instructions for rearward-facing use. Remove all slack from the seatbelt by pulling it rmly after you have fastened the buckle.
Anchor tting Fitting (post-1992) Hook Hook
(Post 1992)

for Child Restraints from 1991 onwards are illegal to use in Western Australia. Such restraints are easy to identify by the keyhole attachment system (refer to image). The tether strap prevents the restraint from tipping forwards or sideways in a crash, but it should not be pulled so tight that the restraint is lifted off the seat. Taut but not tight is recommended. If you are in any doubt that the restraint is correctly installed, have it checked at a restraint tting service.

(post-1992)

Anchor bolt Bolt (pre-1992)

Key-hole Key Hole (pre-1992)

(Pre 1992)

The tether strap attaches to a child restraint anchorage point in your vehicle. There is usually one anchorage point for each back seat seating position; however, if your car has a split rear seat, there may not be an anchorage point in the centre. A restraint tting service can provide some options as to how you can deal with this situation. In sedans, the anchorage points are usually in the shelf behind the back seat. In a station wagon and hatchback they may be in the roof, in the back of the seat or on the oor. Your vehicle owners manual will show you where they are located. The tether strap attaches to the anchorage point by a hook. Restraints that do not comply with any version of the Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) Standard 1754

12

13

Adjusting a rearward-facing child restraint

The harness inside the restraint must t the baby as snugly as possible, with shoulder straps coming from the pair of slots that are just above the babys shoulders and the crotch strap fastening between the babys legs. Blankets should go on after the harness is fastened. As the baby grows, you will need to move the shoulder straps to the next pair of slots. The restraint instruction booklet shows you how to do this.

the harness ts the babys body snugly (this will vary according to the amount of clothing the baby is wearing) the tether strap is fastened to the anchor tting and is taut but not tight.

Keep your baby in the rearward-facing child restraint until the baby reaches its maximum weight limit. If your baby has reached the upper weight limit on your rearward-facing child restraint before reaching the age of 6 months, you can use a forward-facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness.

Using a rearward-facing child restraint

Every time your baby travels in the restraint, you should check:

the seatbelt is correctly passed through the restraint, is done up and the slack removed the harness straps are not twisted and come from above the babys shoulders (they must NOT come from below the shoulders)

13

Children aged 6 months to under 4 years

Children in this age group must travel only in the rear row. If your car does not have a rear row, this part of the rule does not apply. 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 with an inbuilt harness. Because rearward-facing travel is safer, you should move your children to a forward-facing child restraint only when they have reached the weight or length limit of their rearward-facing child restraint. Just because a child has turned 6 months does not mean the child is ready to be placed in a forward-facing child restraint.

Choosing a forward-facing child restraint

There are three kinds of approved forward-facing child restraints:

single-purpose child restraint (818 kg) convertible restraint in forward-facing mode with an upper weight limit of 18 kg combination restraint that can be used as a forward-facing child restraint (818 kg) or booster seat (1826 kg).

14

15

What is available
Approved forward-facing child restraints Below is a list of single-purpose forward-facing child restraints, convertible child restraints and combination restraints available at the time of printing. Single purpose (forward-facing 818 kg)
Model Discovery Plus Toddler Rider Commander Maker Safe-n-Sound Babylove ZuZu

Convertible (rearward- and forward-facing)

Model Compaq Deluxe, Empire Ezyswitch, Conquest F1-304 Grande, Delta, Ultimate Galaxy, Safe Keeper, Sleep-n-Recline Cleo Guardian Plus, Super Safeguard Hybrid Meridian AHR, Platinum AHR Premier, Royale Milan, Capri Turnatot, Turnatot Delux, 360o Carrera, Emperor, Nomad Twilight Maker Safe-n-Sound Babylove Babylove Safe-n-Sound Go Safe Safe-n-Sound Cargo Safe-n-Sound Safe-n-Sound Hipod Infa-Secure Mothers Choice ZuZu

Combination (forward-facing child restraint and booster seat) When your child has reached the weight limit of use as a child restraint with inbuilt harness (18 kg) or is too tall for the straps to be comfortable, tuck them away and use the seat as a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt (1826 kg) or additional child harness.
Model Explorer Marathon Maxi Rider, Maxi Rider AHR Prospect 2 in 1 Optimus, Racing Kid, Roamer Plus Senator Trek 8, Comfy Cruiser Xceed Tribute Maker Safe-n-Sound Cargo Safe-n-Sound Safety 1st Infa-Secure Hipod Infa-Secure Infa-Secure Infa-Secure

Visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/ChildRestraints for the current list of products.

Keep your child in a forward-facing child restraint until the child reaches the weight limit of the restraint (18 kg) before moving to a booster seat (1826 kg).

Note: All convertible restraints have a weight limit of 18 kg in the forward-facing position.

15

16

Fitting a forward-facing child restraint

Whatever kind of forward-facing child restraint you choose, you must install the restraint correctly. It must not be used on vehicle seats that face rearwards or sideways. The manufacturers instructions show you where the seatbelt should pass through the restraint. If you have a convertible restraint, make sure you follow the instructions for forward-facing use. If you have a combination child restraint/booster seat, make sure you follow the instructions for child restraint use. Remove all slack from the seatbelt by pulling it rmly after you have fastened the buckle. The tether strap attaches to the child restraint anchorage point in your vehicle. It should be taut but not tight.

Adjusting a forward-facing child restraint

The inbuilt harness must t the child as snugly as possible, with the shoulder straps coming from the pair of slots that are just above the shoulders and the crotch strap fastening between the legs. As the child grows you will need to move the shoulder straps to the next pair of slots. The restraint instruction booklet shows you how to do this.

Harness straps are easily adjusted at the back of the restraint. Refer to the restraint instruction book for details.
16

Using a forward-facing child restraint

Every time your child travels in the restraint, you should check:

the seatbelt is correctly passed through the restraint, is done up, the webbing is not twisted and the slack removed the harness straps come from above the childs shoulders (although they can come from as far as 25 mm below the shoulders) the harness ts the childs body snugly (this will vary according to the amount of clothing the child is wearing) the tether strap is fastened to the anchor tting and is taut but not tight.

Keep your child in the forward-facing child restraint until the child reaches its maximum weight limit (18 kg). If the child reaches the upper weight limit or is too tall to t in a child restraint before reaching the age of 4 years, your child can use an approved booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt, or additional child harness (see page 18).

17

Children aged 4 to under 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 7 years. Children in this age group vary considerably in height and weight. A child may use EITHER a forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness, OR an approved booster seat with lap-sash seatbelt. If you are using a seating position with a lap-only seatbelt, you must also use a child safety harness. Remember that children grow at different rates. Just because they have turned 4 years does not mean they are ready for a booster seat. If your child is still under 18 kg and tting in the forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness, keep using this restraint.

Choosing a booster seat

There are three types of approved booster seats (see table on page 19):

booster seat (1826 kg) combination child restraint/booster seat booster cushion (not recommended; refer to note on page 19).

18

19

What is available
Approved booster seats Below is a list of approved booster seats available at the time of printing. Remember that children should remain in a forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness until they reach 18 kg. Booster seats are designed for use with a lap-sash seatbelt. If you are using a booster seat in a lap-only seatbelt seating position, you must also use a child safety harness (refer to page 21). Booster seats
Model Advance, GoSafe Air Child Astra, Evolution, Pegasus Barcelona, Boston Caval, Daisy, Happy Hippo, Jet, Flower Girl Cindy 2, Senitel, Spartan EzyUp First Years Hi Liner, Urban Imperial Silhouette Titan Vario Max, Vario Kid Travale, Voyager Le Vanti Classic, Sport, Silhouette Cleo, Knight Maker IGC Dorel Wonderland Safe-n-Sound Hipod Babylove Senator Infa-Secure Babylove Learning Curve Safe-n-Sound Mothers Choice Cargo Infa-Secure Infa-Secure Infa-Secure Safety 1st Go Safe 19 Trek 8, Comfy Cruiser Xceed Optimus, Tribute Hipod Infa-Secure Infa-Secure Infa-Secure

Combination child restraint/booster seat (maximum weight limit 26 kg)

Model Explorer Marathon Maxi Rider, Maxi Rider AHR Prospect 2 in 1 Racing Kid, Roamer Plus Maker Safe-n-Sound Cargo Safe-n-Sound Safety 1st Infa-Secure

Booster cushions
Model Air Child Cushion Nova, Mobility, Horizon Zoom Traveller Focus Sunshine, Mario BL700, Happy Hippo, Charcoal, Flower Girl Maker Wonderland Safe-n-Sound Mothers Choice Go Safe Infa-Secure Babylove

They are not recommended for children who sit next to windows/doors.

Visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/ChildRestraints for the current list of products.

20

Keep children in the booster seat until they reach their maximum weight limit of 26 kg.

Fitting a booster seat

Booster seats are easy to install and must only be used in forward-facing seating positions. If you have a combination child restraint/booster seat, follow the manufacturers instructions for booster seats (remember to place the inbuilt harness out of the way). If your booster seat comes with a tether strap it must be used. If you need to use the booster seat in a front seating position or in a third row seating position with no anchorage point, you will need to purchase a booster seat with no tether strap. If it is necessary for a child to travel in the front seat where there is a passenger airbag, the seat should be moved as far back from the airbag as is possible. Refer to the vehicle owners manual.

the headrest for a booster seat with an adjustable headrest. If the seatbelt does not appear to be tting your child correctly, you may need to visit a restraint tting service for advice. Teach children to buckle the booster seat in before they leave the car to stop the empty seat from moving around the vehicle in a crash and potentially causing injury to other passengers. Keep children in the booster seat until they are 26 kg. Your child is too tall to use a booster seat if the childs eyes are at the same level as the top of the vehicle seat, the top of the booster seat, or the top of the head restwhichever is the highest. Booster seats can also be used with a child harness (refer to page 21).

Using a booster seat

Booster seats are designed to be used with a lap-sash seatbelt. The seatbelt holds both the child and the booster seat in place. The lap part of the belt should pass over the childs upper thighs and across the hips (not across the childs stomach). The sash part of the seatbelt should pass over the childs shoulder and pass diagonally across the body. The sash should not rub against the childs neck or face. A sash guide is usually located on the side of the booster seat, or at the bottom section of

20

Child harness
A child harness is not an inbuilt harness; it is an additional product to purchase. A child harness attaches to a child restraint anchorage point and is sometimes used by children aged 4 to 10 years (1432 kg) with a booster seat or lap-only seatbelt. Recent research recommends only using a child harness in situations where it is not possible to replace your lap-only seatbelt with a lap-sash seatbelt. The research does not recommend using a child safety harness with a lap-sash seatbelt.

If using a child safety harness with a booster seat, it is recommended to use a booster seat with an anti-submarining clip to hold the seatbelt down between the childs legs. If you are using a child safety harness, ensure that the shoulder straps are not too tight and that the lap part of the seatbelt is very low across the thighs, otherwise it may ride up into the childs stomach area. This may cause serious injury or death to a child in a crash. The harness must be tted correctly every time it is used.

21

Children aged 7 years and over

It is safer for children of any age to travel in the back seat. There must be only one passenger for each seating position and one seatbelt for each passenger. Research suggests that an adult seatbelt (which is designed for adult males) will t a child properly when they are around 145 cm tall. It is therefore important to check whether your child is tall enough to be safely restrained by an adult seatbelt. If a child is over 7 years and still ts in a booster seat (up to 26 kg), it is sensible to continue using it until they are tall enough for the seatbelt to t properly. Children who are not yet tall enough to use a seatbelt tend to slump into the vehicle seat so that their legs bend at the seat edge. This means the lap part of the seatbelt is positioned too high on their stomach and they are at risk of injury in a crash. Lap-sash seatbelts provide greater protection than lap-only seatbelts. If there is a lap-only seatbelt in your car, it can be used with a properly tting child safety harness by a child up to 32 kg (see page 21). You can also contact the vehicle manufacturer to see if your lap-only seatbelt can be replaced with a lap-sash seatbelt. A seatbelt ts properly if:

the sash sits at on the shoulder without touching the face or neck the lap part crosses low over the thighs, not the abdomen it is not twisted all slack is removed.

If your child is over 7 years and still ts in their booster seat (up to 26 kg), keep using it.
22

23

Restraint tting services

There are restraint tting services in Western Australia to assist parents and carers to install and use approved restraints correctly. Type 1 Fitters Type 1 Fitters provide a range of services to ensure that your child restraints are properly tted into your vehicle. These services include:

Fitting a child restraint, booster seat or child harness Checking that a child restraint, booster seat or child harness has been tted correctly to a vehicle Assisting with adjusting an inbuilt harness to correctly t a child Converting restraints from rearward- to forward-facing or toddler to booster seat modes Providing advice, instruction and consumer information on appropriate selection, use and installation of restraints for a childs size and age Assessing if consumer vehicles require after market installations.

Type 2 Fitters Type 2 Fitters add approved xtures to the vehicle to enable a child restraint to be placed in the vehicle. These services include:

Installing additional or replacing seatbelts (if appropriate) Installing anchorage points in vehicles that do not have them, such as utilities and panel vans.

Many stores that sell child car restraints may also stock a range of accessories and devices to assist in properly tting a child restraint or booster seat. There may be a charge for restraint tting services and you will need to check with the provider if you need to make a booking. If you have a restraint installed by an authorised restraint tter, they should show you how to install and adjust your restraint as your child grows. This will enable you to t it safely into another vehicle, adjust the straps and return it to your own vehicle, or turn a convertible restraint to its forward-facing position. An authorised Type 1 Fitter should also provide you with a copy of their installation checklist after tting or checking your car restraint. Restraint tting services are provided by a range of independent providers. To nd out where your nearest restraint tting service is visit www.childcarrestraints.com.au or call the Child Car Restraint Information Line on 1300 780 713.

23

Safety habits and measures

Travelling in taxis
By law, taxi drivers do not have to provide child restraints or booster seats. However, they must ensure there is at least one anchor tting ready for passengers who wish to supply their own. If you can, take your childs restraint with you.

Children under 1 year do not have to use a restraint, but they must travel in the back seat. Children over 1 year should be seated in their own seating position in a taxi, with their own properly fastened seatbelt if no suitable child restraint or booster seat is available in the taxi.

Exemptions
Children do not have to use a child restraint, booster seat or seatbelt if:

travelling in a police or emergency vehicle the driver is carrying a current certicate signed by a registered medical practitioner stating that, because they are medically unt or have a physical disability, it is impracticable for them to use a child restraint, booster seat or seatbelt.

Penalties
For failure to appropriately restrain children under 16 years of age there is an indexed on the spot ne (currently $500) and four demerit points.

24

25

Developing passenger safety habits

Young children learn most by watching the adults around them. If you would like your child to behave safely, you should set a good example by always wearing your own seatbelt. Establish the habit of getting your child in and out of the car from the passenger sideaway from trafc. As your child becomes more independent, they will then expect to continue this pattern. When checking that your childs restraint is properly tted and adjusted, explain to the child what you are doing and why you are doing itno matter how young they are. This will develop your childs understanding and may encourage them to use the restraint. Be rm about restraint wearing. If your child refuses to use the restraint, make it a rule that the car does not start. Your childs safety is your responsibility.

Other safety measures

On long journeys:

Children with additional needs

Children with additional needs present many challenges for safe motor vehicle travel. Allied Health Clinicians work together with families to identify strategies that may include modifying a restraint, recommending a restraint accessory, or prescribing a specialised restraint for children with disabilities. Modifying restraints must be undertaken under the advice of medical and allied health staff.

plan plenty of stops so that children can stretch their legs and the driver can take a break dress children in clothing that is appropriate for the temperature inside the car provide plenty of safe distractions, such as CDs to listen to and soft hand-held games ensure pets are restrained remove all loose objects on the shelf behind the back seat. In a crash they may y about and injure passengers. If you have a station wagon or hatchback, install a cargo barrier or load guard to protect your passengers. Some vehicles have tiedown arrangements for heavy objects in the load space that can reduce or prevent their movement in a crash when travelling with an empty booster seat in the car, fasten the seatbelt around it to prevent the booster seat from injuring someone or being damaged if you are involved in a crash.

Be rm about restraint wearing. If your child refuses to use the restraint, the car does not start. Your childs safety is your responsibility.

25

Restraint manufacturers and distributors

Babylove Peg Perego Nursery Elegance Pty Ltd 10/339 Williamstown Road Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Tel: (03) 9285 0300 Toll free: 1300 131 477 babylove.com.au Bambino (International) Pty Ltd 82 Bellingara Road Miranda NSW 2228 Tel: (02) 8543 5570 bambino.com.au Next Generation Nursery Products Pty Ltd Toll free: 1300 363 358 hipod.com.au cargoproducts.com.au Infa-Secure Pty Ltd 110114 Bathurst Road Emu Plains NSW 2750 Tel: (02) 4728 8000 infa-secure.com.au

Bambino

Hipod Cargo

Infa-Secure

26

Klippan Safety Products

A Division of Autoliv Australia 150911 Hume Highway Cambelleld VIC 3061 Tel: (03) 9355 5533 Toll free: 1800 804 588 autolivaftermarket.com.au Learning Curve Australia 942956 Taylors Road Dandenong South VIC 3175 Tel: (03) 9550 3600 rc2aust.com.au IGC Dorel Pty Ltd 655685 Somerville Road Sunshine West VIC 3020 Tel: 1300 809 526 Matson Automotive 100 Links Road St Marys NSW 2760 Tel: (02) 9833 3444 safet.com.au Britax Childcare Pty Ltd 99 Derby Road Sunshine VIC 3020 Tel: (03) 9288 7288 Toll free: 1300 303 330 britax.com.au
Note: The products listed and depicted in this booklet have been tested to the requirements of the Australian Standard AS/ NZS 1754: 2004 (Amendment 1). Every care has been taken to show correct tting and use of the restraints shown; however, the manufacturers instructions should always be followed when using rearward-facing restraints, forward-facing restraints, booster seats and child harnesses.

Learning Curve

Mothers Choice Go Safe Safety 1st ZuZu SafeFit

Safe-n-Sound Steelcraft

27

For further information please call 1300 780 713 or visit www.childcarrestraints.com.au

TRAFF2771 ORS 405-12-09