Child safety is no accident
Too many kids are dying in cars, but the government is addressing thatAs a response to worrying statistics regarding child death and injury in car crashes, the federal government has drafted new child safety restraint legislation. The National Transport Commission cites 500 instances each year of children under the age of ten coming to harm in car crashes. In addition, 2,300 children suffer minor injuries.
It's the view of the Commission that these numbers would be reduced substantially with proper adherence to the age thresholds for child safety restraint in the draft proposal. The NTC proposes that children under six months old should be restrained in a rearward-facing capsule. Children aged between six months and four years need a forward-facing seat and children aged between four and seven are best served by booster seats.
Dr Jeff Potter, Senior Manager -- Safety for the NTC, notes that "While many parents and carers strive to do the right thing, the research shows children are moving to bigger seats too early."
The legislation is available for review from the NTC web site (www.ntc.gov.au) and feedback from the public will be welcome up to the close-off date, 29 June.
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