Roads and driving vehicles are everyday part of our lives. Either as a driver, passenger, or as a pedestrian, we all must negotiate the road traffic environment on a daily basis. Children are especially vulnerable around moving vehicles and traffic on roads due to their age, small size critical thinking capabilities as well as knowing traffic laws.
New child restraint road rules, nationally agreed by all Australian states and territories, are gradually being implemented across Australia.
In summary, the new rules state the following:
- Children under six months are to be seated in a properly fastened and adjusted approved rearward-facing child restraint.
- Children aged between six months and four years are to be seated in a properly fastened and adjusted rearward-facing or forward-facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness.
- Children aged four years to under seven years are to be seated in a properly fastened and adjusted forward-facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness, or an approved booster seat with a properly fastened and adjusted seatbelt or child safety harness.
Small children are at risk from moving vehicles in low speed 'off road' locations such as driveways, yards and car parks. While driveway fencing and improvements to vehicle design may be helpful, supervision of children is critical.
Whenever a vehicle is to be moved - hold their hands or hold them close to keep them safe.
What can you do to keep your child safer?
- Always supervise any children whenever a vehicle is to be moved - hold their hands or hold them close to keep them safe.
- If you’re the only adult around and need to move a vehicle, even just a small distance, put children securely in the vehicle with you while you move it.
- Encourage children to play in safer areas away from the driveway and cars - driveway is like a small road and should not be used as a play area.
- Limit a child’s access to the driveway – for example use security doors, fencing or gates.
Motor vehicles accidents are the cause of the highest number of deaths in children aged between 0 and 14 years and are the second highest cause of hospital admissions.
Whenever children are passengers in a vehicle they should be seated in the most appropriate child restraint for their age and size.
To provide the best protection for your child in a motor vehicle, here are some simple steps to follow:
- Always choose, correctly fit and use the restraint most appropriate for your child’s age and size.
- Use a restraint which has been approved as per Australian Standards.
- Place your child in an appropriate child restraint for every single journey.
- Second hand restraints should be used with caution. You should be aware of the history of the restraint and be sure that the restraint has all the appropriate fittings. Any restraint that is more than 10 years old should not be used.
- Children are safest when travelling in the rear of the vehicle.
- Do not move your child to the next restraint until they have outgrown it.
Onroad driving school always gives instruction of child safety while following road safety. It is never a small thing because our child and our safety is our responsibility towards a happy family.
“Our biggest God gift is our children and Onroad Driving School just help to make them always safe while driving.” Said Sapna Shah, Co-Founder - Onroad Driving School.