A NEW law under the National Road Traffic Act came into effect on 1 May, making it compulsory to transport children under the age of three strapped into a car seat. Although the law only applies to this age, it is strongly advised that children up until a weight of 36kg also use car seats, or a booster seat when they are four years old or weigh 18kg, until they weigh 36kg or reach the seat’s height restriction.
Although many people are of the opinion that holding their child on their lap when travelling in a car is safer, it has been proven that the force of most serious accidents is so strong that you would not be able to hold onto your child. Children hurt in accidents who were not restrained have a high chance of sustaining head injuries.
Guidelines:
• It is not safe for a car seat to be placed in the front/passenger seat of the car.
• Most advice suggests that rear-facing seats are best until the age of two, or 16kg, especially if a vehicle has airbags, and to never use a rear-facing seat in the front of the car. Many parents are reluctant to use these in the back as they cannot see their child while driving, but statistics show that rear-facing seats result in a five-time lower chance of injuries if an accident occurs.
• Five-point harnesses are the safest – straps over the shoulders, around the hips and one between the legs, meeting in a single clasp at the belly.
• Children up until the age of 12 or 135cm tall should travel in the back seat of the car. This is according to UK guidelines.
• Children should not be taught to undo their own seat buckles, but if they do figure out how, they must be strongly discouraged from doing so.
• The safest place for a car seat is the centre of the back seat, but if this is not possible, then place the seat behind the passenger side. Any position in the back is far safer than placing a car seat in the front of the car.
• For babies, a car seat should be angled at 45° to prevent constriction of the airways when their heads fall forward.
• Car seats can expire and parts can become worn or break – avoid buying second-hand seats.
Further information from statistics is that three to four children die daily in SA as a result of vehicle accidents. This is the leading cause of death for children under five, with most cases resulting from the child being ejected from the vehicle.
According to Arrive Alive, car seats reduce the risk of death by 70 per cent for infants and 50 per cent for children between one and four.
Keep in mind also that items carried in the car, for example bicycles, suitcases, cooler-boxes or tinned goods, can fly around in an accident and also cause serious injuries.
