road safety

Please Note: From 9 November 2009, there will be changes to the child restraint legislation. Click here for further information. 

It is vital that your child is in the correct child restraint for each and every car journey. Research shows that children travelling in correctly installed restraints are 70% less likely to be killed or seriously injured in the event of a crash.

Having your child safely belted into a restraint that is suitable to their size, weight and age, and is correctly fitted and adjusted, is paramount at all times. A child who is not belted into a restraint is at risk of serious injury in even a minor crash.

avoid common mistakes with child restraints

• A child not belted into a restraint is at risk of serious injury in even a minor crash. The forces inside a car when stopping quickly from a speed of 60 km/h is equivalent to that of falling from a 4th floor window. It is not possible to hold onto a child on your lap, no matter how tight you hold them.
• The age, weight and height of your child are key in deciding which restraint is right for your child.
• Having a child safely belted into a restraint that is suitable to their size in a rear seat of your vehicle, is paramount at all times. You should not put a child in a front seat. The centre rear seat is known to be the safest. The law requires that a child must be correctly restrained.

tips to avoid common mistakes

• Choose the right vehicle – some vehicles are better equipped than others. See Choose a suitable vehicle
• Choose the right restraints – if the restraint is wrong for the child’s size and weight it will not offer them the best protection. The wrong restraint can result in a child slipping out of the restraint in a sudden stop. Use the Child Restraint Calculator to find the right restraint for your child.
• Correctly install the restraint - if the restraint is not installed correctly, it may move about or even break free in a crash or during hard breaking. See Fit the restraint correctly
• Safely use the restraint – if the belts are twisted or wrongly adjusted, it may cause injuries during hard braking or in a crash. See Use the restraint correctly.