Kidsafe Victoria is calling for urgent action to improve child car restraint safety, with new figures revealing that 90% of child car seats are incorrectly fitted or adjusted – significantly increasing the risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
In a car accident, the risk of life-threatening injuries is 4-6 times greater when child car restraints are incorrectly fitted or used. However, data collected by Kidsafe Victoria from more than 36,000 child car restraint checks across the state found that 9 out of 10 child restraints were incorrectly installed or used.
This alarming statistic includes restraints that were incorrectly installed, not adjusted to fit the child correctly (for example, the headrest was too low, harness straps were too loose and/or too high or low) or children that had been advanced to the next type of child car restraint too early (for example, children who were moved into a forward-facing or booster seat too early). The data underscores the urgent need for increased education and support to ensure children are properly secured while travelling.
To mark National Kidsafe Day today, Kidsafe Victoria is hosting a free fitting event at Casey Fields in Cranbourne East from 10am to 2pm, supported by Britax and Casey Highway Patrol. The event, which booked out in a matter of days, aims to raise awareness of the critical importance of correctly fitted child restraints and highlight the need for increased funding to expand the program.
Kidsafe Victoria CEO Sarah Sexton said that the demand for professional child car restraint fittings far exceeds current resources.
“Parents and caregivers want to ensure their children’s car seats are installed correctly, but our resources are stretched. Without additional funding, we can’t meet the growing demand for these life-saving checks,” said Ms Sexton.
“An incorrectly fitted child car restraint could be a tragedy waiting to happen – the risk of life-threatening injuries is 4-6 times greater when a child car restraint is not installed or adjusted correctly. That’s why we’re calling on the community to help fund more of these essential checks.”
Mum’s plea: Child car restraint saved my baby’s life
Melbourne mum Zoe ten Broek knows firsthand the life-saving importance of a properly fitted child car restraint after a devastating crash left her infant son, Jax, fighting for his life.
In 2022, Zoe secured Jax in his rear-facing car seat for a routine 20-minute drive to her parents’ home. Their car was t-boned on Jax’s side, leaving the one-year-old unconscious and suffering multiple seizures. He was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where he underwent four surgeries to treat a fractured skull, torn neck ligaments and severe head trauma.
Doctors told Zoe that Jax’s rear-facing position likely saved his life. After several weeks in the hospital, Jax made a remarkable recovery, though he has experienced some developmental delays. Now almost six years old, Zoe describes him as “really just your average little boy now.”
“He is functionally non-verbal at the moment and was delayed in walking. Was it because of the head trauma? We’ll never know. But he’s thriving in all other areas,” Zoe said. “I’m so grateful I can still hear him laugh and watch him grow.”
Zoe is now a passionate advocate for extended rear-facing car seat use, emphasising the increased risk of head, neck and spine injuries when transitioning children to forward-facing seats too soon.
“Not a day goes by where I don’t think about what life would be like if we weren’t so lucky,” she said. “If sharing our story helps just one family make a safer choice, it’s worth it.”
Casey Highway Patrol officers attending the event will reinforce the importance of ensuring child car restraints meet safety standards.
Senior Constable Travis Perkins from Casey Highway Patrol said that incorrect use of child restraints remains a major issue on Victorian roads.
“Many parents are unaware that their child’s car seat isn’t fitted properly, and that small mistakes can have devastating consequences in the event of a crash,” said Snr Constable Perkins.
“During intercepts and random breath testing, we often see incorrectly fitted child car restraints, which is why safety checks are so important. Kidsafe offers an invaluable resource as they don’t just ensure the restraint is properly fitted, they also educate parents and carers on how to use them properly.”
Snr Constable Perkins said he’s concerned that the Casey area is in the top 5 for serious injury and fatal collisions within Victoria. Casey Highway Patrol is committed to reducing road trauma. Child car restraint fittings and safety checks are an initiative that will contribute to the safety of children on our roads.
Kidsafe Victoria is also focusing on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, where many families may not be aware of local child restraint laws.
“Many newly arrived families may not be aware of Australia’s child restraint laws or best practices, making education and community outreach essential for their children’s safety,” said Ms Sexton.
Kidsafe Victoria’s Safe Seats Safe Kids program is currently partially funded by corporate support, but more resources are needed to meet demand.
“We’re fortunate to have support from partners like Transurban and Britax, but we need more help,” said Ms Sexton. “With a $49 donation, you can help provide a free car seat check for a family in need – potentially preventing a life-threatening injury.”
To donate or find out more about road safety, visit https://kidsafevic.raiselysite.com/
