When it comes to your child’s safety whilst travelling in a car, it’s the parents’ responsibility to make sure the child is safely strapped in before travelling.
Let’s look at the importance of car seats for babies and children and what safety measures should be taken when travelling with a child. 1
What is the Law in South Africa regarding Child Seats? 1
It is illegal for a child under the age of 3 years not to be strapped into an approved car seat. Drivers are legally responsible to ensure that any child under the age of 14 years is strapped into a car seat or that the child wears a seatbelt.
The law in South Africa requires that everyone in the vehicle (whether in the front seat or backseat) must be strapped in with their seatbelts or appropriate car seats.
Why are Car Seats important to Your Child? 1
Babies and children that are strapped into car seats and/or are wearing seatbelts have a reduced risk of sustaining serious injuries when involved in an accident or emergency stop.
A car seat will prevent your child from being ejected from the car and consequently any serious injuries from occurring to themselves and/or any other passengers.
How do you Choose the Right Car Seat for your Child? 1
- As your children grow, you will have to make sure that their car seat fits their size.
- Not all car seats are specifically designed to fit in all cars. Before buying a car seat make sure the seat fits properly into your car.
- Always be sure to read your car’s manual when it comes to fitting your child’s car seat correctly.
- When fitting the car seat to your car make sure you choose the right direction for the car seat to face. Car seats are either forward- or rear-facing. This all depends on your child’s current age and size.
Children sitting in rear-facing seats in the back of the vehicle will be safest when it comes to protecting the spine, neck and head. Sitting in the back will also reduce the risk of them being injured by an airbag.
Which Direction of the Car Seat applies to Children’s Age and Size? 2
- Stage 1: Babies 0 – 1 years old should be seated in rear-facing car seats, with the harness being at shoulder length.
- Stage 2: Toddlers up to 4 years old, and weighing over 10 kg, can be seated in forward-facing car seats. Their harnesses must be up to their shoulders.
- Stage 3: Young children 4 – 12 years old, and weighing more than 18 kg, are allowed to sit in forward-facing booster seats, with the car’s safety belt securely fastened over the lap and shoulder.
What could the Dangers be for Your Child not using a Car Seat? 2
Never allow your child to sit on your lap. They must be strapped into their car seat at all times. When an accident happens or there is an emergency stop, the weight of a child’s body increases proportionately to the speed of the vehicle in which it is travelling.
- With a child’s body weight increasing so much during an accident, their small size allows for a lot of free motion within the car. This makes it easily possible for the child to be ejected from the windscreen or windows. Three-quarters of children that are ejected from a vehicle will most likely not survive. The majority that do survive could have a permanent disability.
- Even travelling at 40 km/h could cause a fatality to your unrestrained child, especially if they receive a blow to the head from the windscreen. Even putting a safety belt over you and the child on your lap is not safe enough.
When travelling with your child, take the necessary responsibility to ensure your child’s safety.
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Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040 (car insurance and life cover products). The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Sources:
1https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/child-car-seat-safety
2https://www.womenonwheels.co.za/safety/car-seat-safety-law-south-africa/
Child Restraints and Car Seats for Kids – Buckle Up!! https://t.co/BebnaLV7OG #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/EAvWnMmHqT
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