The NSW Premier announced on the 4 November 2009 new safety regulations to target the high rate of injuries from children traveling in cars. The rules to be in place next year will see children up to the age of seven required to travel in approved seats or wear restraints.
Currently it is only compulsory for children up to the age of one to travel in approved baby capsules or seats which contain their own restraints. Research shows that younger children using adult seat belts greatly increase their risk of injury. The changes will come into effect on 1 March 2010 to allow parents time to learn the new rules and purchase restraints such as booster seats. The new regulations are part of national safety reforms and include:
NSW Laws Effective 1 March 2010
- All children up to seven years of age must be secured in a child restraint.
- Children younger than six months must be restrained in a in rearward facing restraint.
- Children between six months and four years must be secured in either a rear or forward facing restraint.
- Children between four and seven years must be secured in forward facing child restraint or booster seat.
- Children younger than four years cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows
- Children between four and less than seven years cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in a child restraint or booster seat
To give parents time to prepare for the change there will be an amnesty on enforcement of the new regulations for the first four months.
If you would like further information that RTA has released the 2009 Safer Child Restraints Guide. This brochure provides guidelines for parents to follow when buying a restraint and information about the level of safety and ease of use. It also includes a list of approved restraints as well as information on the ease of use of infant, young child restraints and booster seats.
The RTA offers expert fitting services and has more than 190 authorised restraint fitting stations across NSW. The guide is available from motor registries, the RTA Customer Service Enquiry Service on 13 22 13 or by clicking here.
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