New rules for using child restraints and booster seats

New rules for using child restraints and booster seats -


VICTORIA - November 9th 2009
NEW SOUTH WALES - MARCH 1ST 2010
QUEENSLAND - March 11th 2010

From 9 November 2009 there will be some changes to Victoria?s road safety rules. These changes include new rules for the use of child restraints and booster seats in vehicles and will help parents and carers ensure their children are in the safest child restraint or booster seat for their age.

The new rules for using child restraints and booster seats
Starting 9 November 2009, children under seven years of age must wear a child restraint or booster seat when travelling in a car for improved safety.

The type of restraint will depend on the age of the child as follows:

?Children aged under six months must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear facing child restraint
?Children aged between six months and under four years must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear facing child restraint OR a forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness
?Children aged between four years and under seven must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

There are also new laws for where children can sit in vehicles.
?If a car has two or more rows of seats, then children under four years must not travel in the front seat
?If all seats, other than the front seats, are being used by children under seven years, children aged between four and six years (inclusive) may travel in the front seat, provided they use an approved restraint or booster seat.

VicRoads also recommends
That you have restraints fitted by an approved child restraint fitter.

The road safety reasons

?On average, nearly 300 children under the age of seven are injured or killed as passengers in vehicles on Victorian roads each year
?Parents are generally moving their children into adult seatbelts from about the age of five and a half years - research suggests this is simply too early
?Children up to seven years are at least four times more likely to sustain a head injury in a crash when sitting in an adult seatbelt only
?Other research shows seating children aged four to seven years old in an appropriate booster seat reduces their risk of injury in a crash by almost 60 per cent, compared to if they were sitting in an adult seatbelt without a booster seat.

What you have to do
To comply with the new child restraint rules you:

?have to know which is the correct child restraint(s) to use
?have to ensure that each child passenger is wearing a properly fitted and fastened child restraint or booster seat suitable for their age every time they travel in a vehicle.

Exemptions
Taxis will continue to be exempt from the child restraint requirements. However, parents are encouraged to use their own restraints in taxis where possible. When there is no suitable child restraint available a seatbelt must be worn.

Frequently asked questions

1.What can I do if my child is too big for the restraint for their age?
The new laws aim to cater for the majority of children, however there is a provision to allow a child who is too tall or heavy for the recommended restraint to use the restraint in the next age category.


2.What should I look for when purchasing a child restraint?
All child restraints sold in Australia must meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1754. However, independent testing has shown that some restraints provide more protection and are easier to use than others. When purchasing a restraint consider the following:


?its suitability for the child in relation to their age, weight and height
?the size of the seat space and vehicle (where possible take your car with you to test that the restraint/booster fits).

Child restraints

1. What can I do if my child is too big for a booster seat?
While the new laws aim to cater for the majority of children, a provision will be included to ensure a child is not required to use a restraint unsuitable for their height and weight. A child, who is too heavy for the restraint recommended for their age, should use a restraint for the next age category (see table below). For example, if a child is too big for a booster (greater than 26kg), a seatbelt can be worn or an approved child safety harness can be used in conjunction with a lap belt or lap/sash seatbelt. In addition there are products such as SafeFit which can help achieve good seatbelt fit. Rear facing child restraint (inbuilt harness) Products are available for children up to 9kg or 12kg.

Approved child restraint (inbuilt harness) Suitable for children up to a maximum weight of 18kg.

Approved booster seat(additional child safety harness optional) Suitable for children up to a maximum weight of 26kg


2. If my child is in a booster seat do they also need to be in a child safety harness?
Booster seats do not come with a child safety harness. Booster seats are designed to be used with a lap/sash seatbelt. However, if your child is using a seating position fitted with a lap-only belt then they must use a child safety harness.

3. What's the difference between inbuilt harness and a child safety harness?
An inbuilt harness is made at the time of manufacture as part of the child restraint. It is suitable for children up to 18kg. There are no inbuilt harnesses available for children over 18kg. A child safety harness is purchased separately. It is suitable for children that are between 18kg up to 32kg.

4. Does the booster seat have to be anchored?
If the booster seat comes with a tether strap it must be anchored. However, there are some booster seats that meet the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 1754) that do not need to be anchored in a vehicle.

5. Is it possible to fit three child restraints across the back seat of my car?
There is considerable variation in the types of child restraints and booster seats available. It will depend on the type chosen, as well as the combination of restraints required, and the make and model of your car. Don't forget - you will also need to find out whether there are enough anchorage points in your vehicle with which to fit the restraints. If you are unsure where the anchorage points are located in your vehicle, refer to the vehicle owner's manual under the section of "Child Restraints" or "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems".

6. If I can't fit my three children in three restraints in the back, is it OK if one sits in the front?
Yes. If there are two child restraints or booster seats in the rear and there is not enough space to put a third restraint or booster in the rear seat then a passenger aged four to less than seven years can be in a booster seat in the front seat. You will need to use a booster seat that does not need to be anchored.

7. Can I still use the additional seat (****ie seat) that I have in the back of my station wagon?
****ie seats will be permitted for use for children aged four and less than seven years provided the seat is suitable for children's height and weight and a lap sash seatbelt or seatbelt with a child safety harness is used.

Just wanted to Say,, QLD's laws come into effect March 11th (or 10th) 2010

Adding in that NSW are also onboard as of March 1st 2010

wanted to add that on sunrise this morning they said that a seat that can hold up to 36kg has been given the green light to be produced immediately, should be out soon!

Please re-direct me if this has been answered somewhere else..

I have only just started hearing about the new laws being brought in for child carseat/restraints.

We live in QLD and have 2, 3 and 5 1/2 year old and Drive a Nissan patrol with 2 anchor points for the back seat (which are already used for the car seats for the younger two).

My question is what do I do with the 5 1/2 yo?

We have a high backed booster seat, which can be 'Wedged' in between the other 2 seats if we have to, but the middle only has a lap sash belt, which I probably wouldn't be considered legal. I'm not sure if another anchor point can be put in for a H harness. ATM she is strapped in the centre with just the lap sash on it's own.

Help or suggestions appreciated..Thanks

M3M, take it to the ambo's and they should be able to find a spot in the trim for the 3rd anchor fitting. it should also be in your owner's manual.

My 3 monkeys..

your 5 yr old can go into a booster unless his/her eyes are level with the back of the booster.. In that case they can go into a adult seat.. I have rung both the police station and transport department.. The police told me one thing which was no matter what my 6yr old was to go in a booster even though he is to tall.. Transport told me he is legally able to go into an adult seat and to print off the info on their website and keep it in the car which I have done..

If you want a link to the info I printed just pm me and I will send it to you..

ps can I post the link

does anyone know if its true that the child restraint (car seat) has to be 5 yrs old or less?
BIL swears black and blue that this is in the new rules but I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

LL it is 10 years or less

Im pretty sure that I have heard that about seats before. That they have a useby date which is 4yrs after the date they were made.

On the 5yr old... The new law states thata child between the age of 4 & 7 MUST be in a booster seat. I serioulsy doubt that a 6 yr old can "legally go into a adult seat with these new laws. So I wouldn't be relying on that print out. Besides that, My 7 yr old can legally go into a adult seat but there is no way in hell he will be.

You need to make sure that when they are seated in the adult seat that 1 their bum is positioned right back. 2 that their knees are bent at the edge of the seat & 3 their feet sit on the floor.
Also the seatbelt needs to be positioned over their pelvis NOT across their stomach. My 7 yr old can't sit with out his booster as the seatbelt would sit on his stomach. Not only that but the buckle part sits over his stomach also. Can you just imagine the damage that would do to his insides in the event of an acciendent?

Legal or not.. You really have to look at how the seatbelt & child is positioned before thinking its ok because its "legal". I am pretty horrified when I see kids smaller then my 7 yr old sitting in a adult seat with nothing to bring them to the right positioning.
Regardless of age, kids vary so much in size. A 7 yr old is NOT an adult & therfor is not suited to being in an adult seat/seatbelt.

Thanks Ali.

My almost 6 yr old is in a H harness with no booster. Simply because there is no booster currently available that she will fit into.
She is 30 kg and her eyes are well above the top line of the booster, plus the poor thing can not sit with her back flat as she shoulders are too wide.
She is def not ready to use just an adult seat belt but that's the best solution for her at the moment. Hopefully they make some bigger boosters.

I just wondered about the age of the restraints as the seat DD2 is using was DD1's so would be just over 5 yrs old.

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Thanks Ali.

My almost 6 yr old is in a H harness with no booster. Simply because there is no booster currently available that she will fit into.
She is 30 kg and her eyes are well above the top line of the booster, plus the poor thing can not sit with her back flat as she shoulders are too wide.
She is def not ready to use just an adult seat belt but that's the best solution for her at the moment. Hopefully they make some bigger boosters.

I just wondered about the age of the restraints as the seat DD2 is using was DD1's so would be just over 5 yrs old.

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My 7 yr old is in the Graco air booster. Its just under the bum, you can get a back for it but I have just the bum section. Amazon.com: Graco AirBooster Youth Car Seat

FJ I think the problem is weight restrictions. Currently booster seats only go to 26kg, LL's DD is 30kg. If the child is too heavy for the seat it can be more dangerous than not having a seat there for her.

Yeah I encountered that with IAin being in the rear facing position. He was over 12kg but not ready to turn IMO. I actually rang the manufacture of the seat he was in & asked. They told me that the seat is tested way beyond the recommended weight. So I was more then happy to keep him RF even though he was over the 12kg limit for the seat in that position.

I would urge anyone to look further into it then just the label before putting their child in a adult seat/seatbelt set up.

Trust me, I know the thought of more money for a seat that they will outgrown before too long is hard but not as hard as what could happen.

eta - the seat I have my 7yr old in (Graco Air Booster) is up to 45kg

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Yeah I encountered that with IAin being in the rear facing position. He was over 12kg but not ready to turn IMO. I actually rang the manufacture of the seat he was in & asked. They told me that the seat is tested way beyond the recommended weight. So I was more then happy to keep him RF even though he was over the 12kg limit for the seat in that position.

I would urge anyone to look further into it then just the label before putting their child in a adult seat/seatbelt set up.

Trust me, I know the thought of more money for a seat that they will outgrown before too long is hard but not as hard as what could happen.

eta - the seat I have my 7yr old in (Graco Air Booster) is up to 45kg

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Spending the money doesn't worry me. I am acutely aware of the worst that can happen in car accidents. The only reason I haven't been using a seat is because I haven't found anything in Australia that goes over 26kgs.

Did you buy the Graco in Aus or from o/s?
From what I see the Air Booster Turbo goes up to 100 lbs but I haven't found it available on an Aus site. Only the standard model which only goes up to 26kgs.

Just because they test it at higher rates doesn't mean it's as safe. Other wise they would adjust the weight ranges in accordance KWIM?
As with everything it all amounts to the risks we are willing to take. Things would be much easier if a wider range of seats were available to cater outside the "norm".

Sorry I didn't mean to come across narky about it...

You will find the Graco one in Toys r us.

No problem. Same goes for me.

No T'r'Us near me but will look into it.
Thanks for the info.

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Just because they test it at higher rates doesn't mean it's as safe. Other wise they would adjust the weight ranges in accordance KWIM?
As with everything it all amounts to the risks we are willing to take. Things would be much easier if a wider range of seats were available to cater outside the "norm".

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I missed this bit.. The company the seat I had Iain in said it was perfectly safe to keep him in it RF. It was 12kg for RF & he was 12 & half. I expected he would get heavier before we were ready to turn. IF say he was 15kg or more I would have turned him. As it turned out he sat on that weight & is still that weight now at 16 months LOL

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Thanks Ali.

My almost 6 yr old is in a H harness with no booster. Simply because there is no booster currently available that she will fit into.
She is 30 kg and her eyes are well above the top line of the booster, plus the poor thing can not sit with her back flat as she shoulders are too wide.
She is def not ready to use just an adult seat belt but that's the best solution for her at the moment. Hopefully they make some bigger boosters.

I just wondered about the age of the restraints as the seat DD2 is using was DD1's so would be just over 5 yrs old.

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I can't remember if I posted earlier about this but here goes

My 6 and half year old is to tall for the standard booster. Weight he is 22kg.. According to the QLD department of Transport who I have rung 3 times now after getting conflicting advice have told me he is perfectly safe and legal to go into a adult seat with a lap/sash seatbelt. Our local police told us a different story and said he was to stay in a booster regardless of height.. SO dept of transport told me to print of their info they have on their website and keep it in the car which we have done.

I might print that out too. Knowing my luck I would get pulled up for it.
I have her in a H harness as she isn't quite tall enough for the adult belt. Getting her to sit up straight is like pulling teeth.

Efjay - to meet standards seats are tested with dummies up to 32kg. So I get what you are saying. My DD just can't sit in them though. She just won't fit. She isn't chubby just tall and broad, tallest in her grade 1 class by a head lol.
At 12.5 kg he'd have been fine in RW. I would have kept him back too. I didn't move DD2 to forward facing until well after 12mths but she is petite unlike DD1 who has always been in the 99th percentile.

Hopefully the safety standards are reviewed soon so that the manufacturers can start producing restraints with higher weight ranges.

[quote]?Children aged between four years and under seven must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened [\quote]

So what age does a child or can a child get out of wearing a harness? Can a child that is over four be able to use a booster seat that is an anchored one with a normal adult belt?

thats right maz, an adult seatbelt with proper booster seat, it should hold the belt in the correct position

thanks hun...so that means technically Vy could sit in her booster seat with the adult seat belt after her 4th birthday?

i believe so

Does anyone know the details of using booster cushions? We have an old one that complies to the current standard and the website says you can't use a *current* booster cushion but you can use an old one that complies to the current standard before it changed.

Otherwise I'm going to have to stop driving places soon, unless we can find a small booster seat. Right now our only options are to find some place that actually sells a narrow toddler seat or to buy a $500 crappy old bomb of a car until we can save up enough money for a good car. Or stop driving places with three kids. Or convince someone to buy our house so I can afford a good car (our old car has about $0 trade-in value, it has extremely high mileage, at least 3x higher than the same model car is expected to have).

They give compensation for everything else, why isn't there an 'upgrade the safety of your kids' grant for parents who can't afford a car that fits modern car seats? I think we'd be less safe in a $500 clapped out old bomb than in our current car with no toddler seat or just an old booster cushion.

Edit: if the eldest kid grows anymore (right now she sort of tucks under the sides of the baby seats, which would probably sever her arms in an accident) we won't be going anywhere for xmas unless the relatives come and pick us up. Which, given past behaviour, won't happen.

I thought they were banned completely?

Anyway how tall/heavy is your eldest? There are quite a few new boosters on the market these days that are 100% adjustable.

Eldest doesn't need a seat, the other two do. I only fit the eldest in because she sort of fits behind the two baby seats because her shoulders are low enough to fit inside the moulded part of the seat where its hollow, if you get what I mean. There isn't enough space *between* the two baby seats to fit her shoulders, she's too wide. Baby seats are amazingly wide at the top, and we have the 'compact' models so we can't buy narrower.

The kids are 10, 3 and 11 months.

Kind of need to get this clarified although it is a bit academic, if the biggest one grows while the middle one is still 3 and needs a baby seat we simply won't be able to travel at all. She's been growing about 5-7cm each year so the odds of this are really high. Next year when the middle one is 4 hopefully we can find a toddler seat that is narrow at the top.

Government issued "do not travel" card right there. My car is too small for 3 kids as soon as the biggest one gets too tall and I know I can't get a car loan unless we sell the house (currently 100% maxed on borrowing). If I sell the house I don't need a car loan. Argh.

You could try changing one of the other into a slimline convertable booster. Like a Hipod Senator. Its quite slim, we had that and two maxi riders; now we have a Marathon, Senator and a Infa booster seat. Id measure and see what you can get to fit. Its the only way to be 100% sure.

We can't change to a booster until just after Christmas ... what we really need is one that is narrow at the top so her shoulders fit, we've seen designs like that but they aren't slimline so they are just massive at the bottom. Been googling around and getting extremely demoralised about this whole car seat thing and thinking we simply won't be able to travel without a new car.

Our car is a corolla, the back seat isn't very big.

Need to sell our house but I don't hold out much hope of that, we have just over 6 weeks to sell it in before we move out :(