FamilyCar.com.au Survey Results on Child Safety

SYDNEY – March 10, 2010: 1 in 3 parents are confused about the child restraint laws, according to a recent survey conducted by FamilyCar.com.au.

Founder of FamilyCar.com.au, Melissa Pye, said they conducted the survey in response to the large number of queries on their website around this topic. “Parents are clearly concerned about the safety of their children while driving them to school, day care and after school activities and are desperate for some clarity in this area”.

Last year, The Australian Transport Council approved new laws based on a size-appropriate restraint system for all children in Australia up to the age of 7. To make matters even more confusing for parents, each state will introduce the changes at different times. Victoria was the first to implement the new laws in November last year with NSW changes coming into effect on 1st March. The remaining states and territories changes will come into effect at different times throughout the year.

Parents believe that the government is letting them down when it comes to educating them on child safety in cars. 64% of respondents said that the government should do more to educate parents and carers on how to safely restrain their children in cars. “While I applaud the introduction of the long overdue changes to the laws, the government really needs to step up and educate parents and carers by showing them how to restrain their children safely and reinforcing it over time. The proper use of child restraints can save lives and reduce the risk of serious injury,” says Melissa.

Main areas of confusion for parents include