Choosing a child restraint
Road crashes cause many child deaths in Queensland. Children are extremely vulnerable in a crash if they are not using an approved restraint or seatbelt that is fitted correctly.
When choosing a child restraint, keep in mind that age is only a guide. Size and weight are the most important factors in determining the correct restraint for your child.
Selecting the appropriate restraint is only the first step in protecting your child. No restraint will work properly or prevent injury if it has not been fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.
Under Queensland law, the driver of the vehicle must ensure children under 16 years of age are wearing a correctly fitted child restraint or seatbelt. The penalty for failing to do this is a A$300 fine and three demerit points.
If more than one seatbelt offence occurs within a 12-month period, an additional three demerit points will apply. The additional penalty will apply to driver related offences for seatbelts, and rider related offences for helmets.
Pregnancy
Your child needs protection even before birth. It is important that pregnant women wear seatbelts correctly. A properly worn seatbelt puts little pressure on the stomach or the unborn child.
Pregnant women must wear the seatbelt with the lap part sitting over the thighs, across the pelvis and below the unborn child. The sash part should be above the stomach and between the breasts.
Choosing a restraint
Some adults mistakenly believe that holding their child in their arms, or including the child in their seatbelt can prevent injuries in a crash. Your body could crush the child if they are sharing your seatbelt. The strength needed to hold a baby in a 50 kilometre per hour crash is equivalent to lifting a large washing machine.
You should select a child restraint before the birth of your baby. You will need to check that the restraint fits your vehicle and that your other passengers can still sit comfortably in the vehicle once the restraint is installed.
Types of infant/child restraints available
Infant restraint
Babies under one year old (usually weighing less than 9 kilograms [kg]) must be secured in an approved infant restraint. Infant restraints are designed to be installed facing the rear of the vehicle as this is the safest way for a baby to travel. The restraints must be anchored to the vehicle at two points—at the anchor bolt/tether strap and with the seatbelt. Always check the manufacturer's instructions to find out how to properly install the restraint and how to adjust the harness. Make sure the harness is fitted snugly every time you use the restraint.
Child car seats
Once your child outgrows the infant restraint , they can start using a child car seat. These restraints are suitable until the child reaches 18 kg (about four years of age).
Note: Infant restraints are available with different capacities for babies up to 12 kg. International best practice recommends that infants remain in rearward facing infant restraints as long as practical. However, if other factors influence the need to move the child to a forward facing child restraint (such as vehicle size or the distractions from driving with a distressed child), this should not take place before the child weighs about 9 kg or is 70 centimetres long.
Some manufacturers sell child restraints that can be converted to differerent types—for example, lying down or sitting upright. With this type of restraint, the manufacturer may specify different weight ranges (for the child) for the different types of use. A child restraint should never be used outside the range specified by the manufacturer for its type.
Child car seats can only be used on forward-facing seats. They are attached by an anchor bolt, a tether strap and the car's seat belt.
Child harness
A child harness is designed to be used with a lap seat belt or a lap-sash seatbelt to provide extra safety and protection for the child.
If used with a booster seat, a child harness is suitable for a child weighing between 14 kg and 26 kg.
If used without a booster seat, a child harness is suitable for a child weighing between 14 kg and 32 kg.
The manufacturer's instructions should be followed when a child harness is being fitted. When using a harness, you must adjust the seatbelt first so it fits firmly over the child's hips, then tighten the shoulder straps, making sure they are not twisted, and adjust the tether strap.
Booster seats
A booster seat enables a child to use an adult lap-sash belt, or a harness and lap belt in the centre of a vehicle. The child will then be able to see out of the window and the seatbelt will fit more comfortably.
A booster seat should only be fitted to a forward-facing seat.
Booster seats are available as a base only or with backs and sides. Boosters with backs and sides provide head support for a sleeping child.
When using a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt, the sash part of the belt must not touch the child's neck. In the event of an crash, the back of the car seat provides protection for a child's head against whiplash. A child is too tall for a booster seat if—when sitting on the booster seat—their eye level is above the top of the back seat.
If your child is using an adult lap-sash seatbelt by itself, make sure the sash part does not touch their neck.
Incorrect use of booster seat/seat belt
| Image | Description |
|---|---|
 | The child is too small for an adult seatbelt. The seatbelt touches the child's neck. |
 | The child is too large for the booster seat. The child's eye level is above the top of the seat. |
 | Correct use of a seatbelt. The seatbelt does not touch the child's neck. Adult lap-sash belts. Weight: from about 26 kg. Age: from about 7 years. |
Last updated 08 April 2009
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