Experts call for booster seats to be...

Experts call for booster seats to be compulsory
5:00AM Saturday May 26, 2007
By Maggie McNaughton
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=142&objectid=10441950

Support is swelling for the compulsory use of "booster seats" in cars for children aged over 5.

Under current legislation, only children aged up to 5 are required to use approved car restraints.

Plunket, doctors and motoring experts are behind the calls.

In Australia, the biggest motoring group, the NSW-based National Roads and Motorists Association, is backing plans for children aged up to 7 to be required to use booster seats.

And the Canadian province of British Columbia has just passed a law requiring children to use booster seats until they are 145cm tall - between the age of about 9 and 12.

Booster seats sit the child higher so the seatbelt lies across the shoulder and upper legs, rather than the neck and stomach.

Plunket is pushing for it to be mandatory for children aged over 5 to travel in booster seats.

"It's incredibly dangerous for a child who doesn't fit the safety belt correctly to be using it," national child safety adviser Sue Campbell said.

"We will be going to the Transport Ministry and getting more support from other groups and talking to them again in regards to having a real push for [change]," she said.

"We want booster seats used here until at least 9 years of age. One thing we will have to discuss is the appropriateness of going by either the age or size of the child."

New Zealand's record of children dying in car accidents is abysmal.

From 1989 to 2006 inclusive, 176 children aged up to 4 were killed. Of those children, 75 weren't wearing restraints, and 55 would have been saved had they been restrained, according to Ministry of Transport figures.

In the same period, 101 children aged 5-9 were killed. Of those children, 32 weren't wearing restraints, and 16 would have been saved had they been restrained.

Dr Elizabeth Segedin, an intensive care specialist at Starship Children's Hospital, is one of several doctors who recommended in a study that children up to 12 should be required to sit in booster seats.

She said that in Britain the law now requires restraints for children up to 135cm tall or 12 years of age.

Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said the ministry had discussed child restraint laws with various groups.

"We know that booster seats for older children would enhance safety. That's why we've had the recommendations for years that parents use them, but I'll wait and see what the advice is and maybe make some decisions as to how hard, how fast we should move on the issues." * Plunket has been awarded a top road safety prize for its Car Seat Rental Scheme. The organisation won the Road Safety General Category at this year's New Zealand Road Safety Innovation and Achievement Awards.

Edited by CRS

I was just thinking that Lizzle, how many children don't pass the 145cm mark... ever? (It's 4'9" isn't it?)

CRS wrote: From 1989 to 2006 inclusive, 176 children aged up to 4 were killed. Of those children, 75 weren't wearing restraints, and 55 would have been saved had they been restrained, according to Ministry of Transport figures. In the same period, 101 children aged 5-9 were killed. Of those children, 32 weren't wearing restraints, and 16 would have been saved had they been restrained.

Okay I have a prob with these statistics. First up, children in the first example, aged 0-4, are already required by law to be in a child restraint. So that's already covered.

In the second example, we're talking about 16 children who would have been saved if they had been in a child restraint. 16 children over a span of 17 years! But it also sounds like it is talking about car seats and seatbelts all being equal in those statistics, those that's even more confusing.

So the question is, how much financial support does Plunket get from car seat sales?

I was talking to the plunket lady at children's day and she asked me if we had our boys in car seats. I looked at her weirdly and said "of course". She actually apologiused and said that Gisborne has a really bad record of not having kids in car restraints at all. It was horrific some of the things she was telling me. Driving down the highway breastfeeding bubs in the front seat. How can you not put a baby in a car seat?

We were at the fish and chip shop a while ago and a lady got in the car and went to drive off with two kids running around the seats and two car seats empty. We were shocked so Dh got out and gave her what for, she used lots of foul language and told him it was none of his business, so he got out his phone and pretended to dial the cops. She had a sudden change of heart and started to strap her protesting kids in and this is what she said to them "No you have to that grumpy wanker said you do, so it's not my fault blame him"!!!!!

It makes me so angry especially when 90% of the time the adults are wearing their seat belts just not their kids.

Jayden is 5 1/2 and we still have him in his booster we kept Micheal in one until he was 7 as he was just too short for the seat belts. As long as they are under the weight limit for the seat I don't see any harm in being a little extra cautious.

Although we have the hindsight of knowledge after being in a car wreck where seat belts and a good car seat saved our lives.

Oh my!!!! I like the fact that Abby's carseat has a big sticker on it that says "Do not use this seat after 2011".

Out of curiosity do booster seats have an age limit like car seats? Given that fact that I have three children I should probably know this!

Ok, I'm guessing we are going out to buy a new booster seat this week!!! Jayden's one is about 11 years old, and we will need one for Abby in the near future anyway so might as well get it now. Thanks for that

While we're at it, how long before a regular car seat expires?

busymum wrote: While we're at it, how long before a regular car seat expires?

Depends on the brand, what is the brand of your seat?

vick wrote: Jayden is 5 and weighs 20 kilos but we have just left him in his seat and would prefer he stay in it for a while. Abby is only 2 1/2 and only 12 kilo's so there is a bit of room for her in her car seat. Although if we get one now for jayden I want it to be ok for Abby as well when she outgrows her car seat.

I'm not sure what your budget is like but something such as a Hipod Barcelona (it tethers) from Farmers or Milano booster (doesn't tether) from Baby City may be appropriate for him. Though it would definitely be a good idea to try it in your car to make sure it fits properly in your vehicle and that the adult belt rests on his body correctly. Let him sit in it too so you'll no if he's comfortable or not. Nothing worse then sitting in an uncomfortable seat for a whole journey!

vick wrote: Thanks, will check them out this weekend, quite like the milano one though. The price isn't too bad considering we will eventually have Abby in it.

You're welcome :)

Paws wrote: I just want to say a big YAY!! For having you here Bonnie! You are a total wealth of knowledge and I've heard you spoken of highly before....great to have you contributing to us here!!

Have you really? How interesting! LOL