Road Safety Laws
A significant improvement to child safety road laws.
In April 2008 Safe-n-Sound advised that all States and Territory governments had agreed to adopt new National Road Safety Laws recommended in 2007.
On the 28th May 2009 Victoria became the first state to announce adoption of the changes. Since this commitment, New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and West Australia have also announced adoption of the changes.
Northern Territory is yet to announce implementation schedules.
So what are the changes?
The National Road Safety Laws for child restraint and booster seat requires:
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Children less than six months to be secured in an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear-facing child restraint, such as an infant capsule;
- Children from six months to less than four years must be secured in an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear-facing child restraint or a forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness;
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Children aged from four years to less than seven years must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward-facing child restraint with in-built harness (within manufacture's guidelines) or an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened; and
HOW DO I FOUND OUT MY LEGAL OBLIGATIONS IN MY STATE
Each State/Territory who have implementation of the Road Rules has specific exemptions. Refer to your State or Territory's specific Road Laws Guide to understand your legal obligations.
Click here to see your State/Territory's Guide
RECOMMENDATIONS
Safe-n-Sound recommends that babies and children stay in their child restraint or booster as long as they fit. Smaller children do not need to move to the next category when they reach the ages in the rules.
- A child that turned 4 who still fits in their forward facing child restraint with in-built harness should stay in that restraint.
- A child who turned seven should remain in their booster seat as long as they fit.
Why are they making these changes?
Approximately 500 children a year are killed or seriously injured in car accidents nationally. This reform responds to calls from road safety experts, police and local communities for a stronger minimum standard.
Research shows that younger children are not correctly restrained when they move to a booster too early or when they are just sitting on the car seat using the seat belt. Experts suggest that children are moving too early into inappropriate restraint such as booster seats and seat belts, which are not appropriate for their weight and height and therefore increase the risk of injury.
Are Safe-n-Sound products going to change as a result of the road safety laws?
All products currently sold by Safe-n-Sound will allow for parents and carers to transport children in a manner that will satisfy the existing road rules in each state and territory as well as satisfying the new road safety laws as proposed by the Victorian and Queensland government. No change to the product is required.
The Road Rules govern use of the product not the design and specification. To help you and your customers select the right Safe-n-Sound product for your child we have prepared guides for all states/territories who have announced adoption and implementation schedules - Click here for your relevant guide.
How Safe-n-Sound will support you.
Safe-n-Sound will continue to update retailers and consumers about these changes in other States and Territories as the information becomes available.
We will do this through various publications however we suggest that you check this area of our site on a regular basis for any further announcements regarding these changes in the law for the most up to date information.