New child restraint laws - for the parents out there

[Dogwatcher]

NEW CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS TO PROTECT OUR KIDS
The Rann Government is further strengthening its commitment to road safety by adopting new nationally
approved changes for the use of child restraints in motor vehicles from July 1 this year.
Road Safety Minister, Jack Snelling says the new laws represent significant changes that will provide greater
protection for children travelling in vehicles and will go a long way towards reducing road trauma.
“Unfortunately, nearly 60 children under 12 years of age are either killed or seriously injured in crashes on
South Australian roads every year, and more than a third of those casualties are just 7 years of age or
younger,” Mr Snelling said.
“Around a quarter of those seriously injured were not wearing a child restraint at the time of the crash.
“Research also suggests that children are being moved into bigger seats – or are prematurely graduating to
seatbelts – when this is not appropriate for their size.
“The new laws will reduce the risk of injury caused by the use of unsuitable restraints for a child’s size by
specifying the type of restraint to be used at different ages and where children must be seated in a vehicle.
“They will also provide parents and carers with the advice and clarification they need about what type of
restraint provides the best safety benefit for their children,” Mr Snelling said.
The changes to the Australian Road Rules will introduce a mandatory size appropriate restraint system for all
children up to the age of seven.
Specifically, the new laws will require children:
• Up to the age of six months to be restrained in a rear facing child restraint (e.g. infant capsule)
• From six months until the age of four to be restrained in either a rear or forward facing child
restraint (i.e. child safety seat) and
• From four years until the age of seven to be restrained in either a forward facing child restraint or
booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt or child safety harness.
The new laws also deal with the issue of children sitting in the front seat of a vehicle.
• Children aged between four and seven will not be permitted to sit in the front seat, unless all other
seat positions are already occupied by children under seven.
• Children up to four years must be restrained in the rear of the vehicle (where the vehicle has two or
more rows of seats)
News Release www.premier.sa.gov.au
For further information contact Richard Lower on 8463 3443 or 0419 838 646
A provision will be included in the new laws to ensure a child is not required to use a restraint unsuitable for
their size and weight. For example, a child who is too tall or heavy for the restraint must use a restraint for
the next age category.
Mr Snelling said the new laws would come into effect on July 1 this year.
“Many parents are already aware of the changes and have already taken steps to make their own
arrangements.
‘
We’re now starting a three month print and radio publicity campaign to remind all parents about the changes
to laws in the lead-up to July 1 and beyond.
“The simple fact is seatbelts and child restraints save lives and can reduce the trauma of crashes dramatically.
Nothing else offers the same level of crash protection for babies and young children as a properly fitted child
restraint,” Mr Snelling said.
By law, drivers are responsible for ensuring that they and any other passengers in the vehicle are appropriately
restrained, regardless of their age.
“Drivers will receive an ‘on-the-spot fine’ of either $240 or $292 and between three to five demerit points if
passengers, including children, are not wearing a seatbelt or a suitable approved child restraint.
“However, once the laws take effect from July 1, there’ll be a three month grace period for drivers before
police start enforcing the new rules,” Mr Snelling said.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions about the new child restraint laws is available to download from the
following websites: www.sa.gov.au/restraints and raa.com.au or phone 132324 for further information.

[LMA]

My lad aint gonna be happy, just when he thinks he's a big boy and gets out of his booster seat, back in for another 2 years
How are they gonna monitor this? do we need to carry birth certificates of our children around?

My missus reckons I'm not allowed to sit in the front now with the new laws

[wooly]

Yeah knew this was coming... my two youngest are 7 in September, stuffed if I'll be going out and buying new seats for 2 months worth of driving.

[Iron Fist]

there is a 3 month period of grace
and believe they said that common sense will be applied in some cases
eg, if your 6 and a half year old is bigger then a 10 yr old you wont need one.

[Dutchy]

Wow - just driven 5,000kms to Queensland and back with my 3 year old in a booster seat

[Lightning McQueen]

They should send police officers out to every school to tell the children, try telling kids that "shotgun" means nothing now, they'll think I'm lying to them.

[Lightning McQueen]

Well I've been pleasantly surprised, my 4 and 7 year olds have adapted to the sitting in the back & booster seat rule without any fuss.

[tipper]

probably something that may affect more people, and has had a lot less information put out is the new high performance vehicle restrictions for p plate drivers that will be coming in in a couple of months. no v8, turbo, supercharged or nominated high performance vehicles. anyone getting a p licence after the start date cant drive one unless they are over 25. thank god i dont have to worry about it, there are advantages to being old!!

[Iron Fist]

probably something that may affect more people, and has had a lot less information put out is the new high performance vehicle restrictions for p plate drivers that will be coming in in a couple of months. no v8, turbo, supercharged or nominated high performance vehicles. anyone getting a p licence after the start date cant drive one unless they are over 25. thank god i dont have to worry about it, there are advantages to being old!!

when is this coming in??
they have spoke about it for a while!

[tipper]

in a few months. the date hasnt been confirmed. it wont affect existing p licence holders, just new ones. so if you know anyone about to get their licence, tell them to get it sooner rather than putting it off. there are other changes too. learners will have to hold their l's for 12 months instead of 6 so people will have to be 17 to get their p's instead of 16 and a half. once again only for people getting their l's after the start date, which is still a couple of months away yet.