Seat belts, properly fitted and in good condition, save lives and minimise the risk of injury. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all passengers are restrained by a seat belt or a suitable child restraint. It is also the driver's responsibility to ensure that all seat belts are in roadworthy condition and correctly fitted.
Under no circumstances should a driver carry passengers without each correctly and individually restrained by suitable seat belts. A child must never be carried on a passenger's lap - even for short trips. To do so exposes the child to serious injury or fatality. Always ensure your children are properly restrained when travelling.
Before children are able to use normal car seat belts, however, they will require specialised restraints which vary in their function and type according to the size, age and weight of the child.
If buying a restraint for the first time, it may be a good idea to buy before the baby is born so that you can make sure the restraint is suitable for your car. This will also enable you to prepare for any modifications or accessories that may be needed.
For babies aged 0-6 months, infant restraints are used. These are rearward facing and must carry the Standards Australia AS1754 sticker.
Once a baby can hold its head up comfortably, which is usually at around 6 months, a child seat can then be used. These face forward secured with a tether strap attached by an anchor bolt or anchor fitting. They are also commonly used in conjunction with the car seat belt.
The type of child seat you choose will be influenced by many factors, including the number of child restraint anchorage points your vehicle has, and whether or not the restraint is to be swapped from one car to another.
For children from 4-8 years, an H-harness or a booster seat is used.
An H-harness is attached to an anchor bolt or anchor fitting, with the lap belt of the car threaded through the harness. It is easily portable, and can be used until the child reaches the weight limit specified on the harness instructions.
Depending on the child's height, a booster can be used in conjunction with the harness to help them see out of the car (which will help keep them content when travelling).
A booster seat with a back may also be used for children who have outgrown a child car seat, but make sure the child understands that they are not to touch or undo the seat belt buckle.
Booster seats are held in place by the car's lap/sash belt. However, if the booster seat is positioned in the centre of the back seat, it must be used with a harness, securely and correctly anchored to a child restraint anchorage point.
There are a number of dual-purpose child restraints available. These can be used as a rearward facing restraint for new-borns, and then turned and converted into a forward facing unit for up to three to four year olds.
Generally, once your child's eyes are level with the top of the back seat, an adult lap/sash belt can be used, but make sure your child's needs are assessed individually.
Restraints must be correctly installed and properly adjusted so that the child has maximum protection in the event of an accident. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's fitting instructions exactly. Contact the manufacturer or a Restraint Fitting Station for additional advice.
Second-hand child restraints sometimes appear available for sale, or passed around families and among friends, but should be approached with extreme caution. These may be unsafe and may not comply, or no longer comply, with Australian Safety Standards. Under no circumstances should a restraint be used that is showing signs of UV discoloration, fraying and general wear and tear, or has been in an accident.
All child restraints are attached to an anchor bolt or fitting, which fits securely into an anchorage point. However, your vehicle may not have anchorage points. In which case you should visit a restraint fitting operator who can install anchorage points and advise you of the most appropriate restraint for your child and vehicle and how to install it.
Contact TACC or your local Roads office for a list of Restraint Fitting Stations, as well as a list of child seats and restraints which are approved by Australian Safety Standards.
Issued by TACC, the Tasmanian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.