Seatbelts and Child Restraints
Seatbelts - Simple ... Safe ... Smart
In Australia and the Northern Territory, the law says you must wear your seatbelt at all times.
Over half of the people killed on Territory roads between the years 2002 - 2007 were not wearing a seatbelt when one was available. Of these, nearly two thirds were thrown out of the vehicle during the crash.
Whilst the use of seatbelts or child restraints does not affect the likelihood of being involved in a crash, their use does reduce the rate of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from a crash.
For more detailed information see -
Why are seatbelts effective? - fact sheet
Information on child restraints - fact sheet
A Simple Guide to Child Restraints - Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Why are seatbelts effective?
Older children and adults
Seatbelts do save lives and the law requires you to wear a seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened.
The driver is also responsible for making sure that all passengers are wearing seatbelts when travelling in the car and that children are properly restrained by a suitable and approved child restraint or seatbelt.
Research shows that wearing a seat belt doubles your chances of surviving a serious crash.
So remember, it takes just two seconds to buckle up but it will take a lifetime for loved ones to get over losing you.
Click here to view the Pause to Reflect television commercial.
Child Restraints
Read and follow all instructions carefully when installing child restraints. Where possible, install your child restraint in the centre position of your car’s back seat.
Ensure that the top strap and the adult seat belt that keep the child restraint in position are properly adjusted so they don't have any slack. This helps to ensure a very tight fit and minimises subsequent movement in a crash.
Use the minimum number of tether extension straps. Ensure the harness shoulder straps are correctly positioned. When using a rearward-facing infant restraint, the shoulder straps should be located at shoulder height or just above the baby’s shoulders. Shoulder straps in forward-facing restraints can be located up to 25mm below the child’s shoulders.
Adjust the harness firmly. A loose harness will not perform well in a crash and can lead to other problems, such as the child freeing his or her arms. There should be no twists in the harness. When using a child harness with a lap belt, tighten the belt first, and then adjust the harness.
Airbags
If your car has airbags, fit all child seats in the rear seat.
Never use child restraints in the front passenger seat.
Which child restraint for what age?
Infants (up to 9kg, about 6 months)
Always use an approved child restraint.
Keep your child in a rearward-facing child restraint until he or she physically will not fit. Before moving to a forward-facing child seat, your child must be able to sit and easily hold his or her head upright.
Do not carry your child in your arms. In a crash you will not be able to hold onto your child. He or she will be thrown around the interior of the car or thrown outside it.
Very young children (9kg up to 18kg, 6 months to approximately 5 years)
Always use an approved child seat.
Do not be tempted to move your child into a booster seat when a new brother or sister comes along.
Nothing else offers the same level of protection in a crash for young children as a child seat.
Continue putting your child into the child seat until he or she becomes too big for it.
Young children (up to 26kg, about 6 years)
A booster seat may be needed to improve seat belt fit and to let your child see out of the car.
Buy a rigid booster seat (with a back), side wings and a sash guide to keep the seat belt in place.
Use an adult lap/sash seat belt or a child harness in conjunction with the centre rear lap belt. When using a harness remember to tightly adjust the lap belt first and then the harness, removing the slack. The lap belt should always be tighter than the shoulder harness.
Never use a booster seat or cushion with just a lap only seat belt.
For Authorised Inspectors in various locations who can assist with installation of Child Restraints click on this link Authorised Vehicle Inspection Stations on the Motor Vehicle Registry website.