Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT LAWS ARE APPLICABLE IN THE NT?

In February 2013, legislation was amended to implement changes to make the transportation of children safer. The requirements are:

Children up to 6 months of age – must be in a rearward facing child restraint or capsule.
Children aged 6 months to 4 years – must be in a child car restraint with an inbuilt harness.
Children aged 4 to 7 years – must be in a booster seat.
Children under 4 years of age – are NOT permitted to travel in the front passenger seat when there is more than one row of seats in the vehicle.
Children aged 4 to 7 years of age – are ONLY allowed in the front passenger seat if all rear seating positions are in use by children under 7.

NB: Children who exceed the maximum weight and size limitations of the restraints available may use the restraint for the next age group.

Approved child restraints are those certified as compliant with AS/NZS 1754 and must be correctly fitted and used accordingly.

what are australian standards?

Australian Standards set the minimum requirements for materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling of child restraints systems in Australia. All child restraints sold or imported to Australia must meet the strict requirements of AS/NZS 1754.

can my child sit in the front passenger seat?

Current legislation requirements state the following:

Children under 4 years of age – are NOT permitted to travel in the front passenger seat when there is more than one row of seats in the vehicle.
Children aged 4 to 7 years of age – are ONLY allowed in the front passenger seat if all rear seating positions are in use by children under 7.

Research clearly demonstrates that persons travelling in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle are at significantly greater risk of severe injury and/or death in the event of a crash. Children may legally ride in the front of a motor vehicle if they are correctly restrained. However, Kidsafe NT does not recommend children under the age of 10-12 years sit in the front seat, especially where there is a passenger airbag fitted.

what is the best position to fit my child car restraint?

Kidsafe NT and industry road safety experts recommend that children travel in the rear centre position as the preferred option. This position offers the greatest protection, particularly in the event of side impacts.

A child restraint or safety harness may not be able to be placed in the centre rear seat position due to:

The rear seat folds down in a 50/50 split.
The seat has a raised centre hump or excessive contouring.
The driver’s seat cannot be positioned to allow the driver to safely operate the vehicle without the seatback position putting pressure on a rearward child restraint.
There is no centre anchorage point.

In these cases, the rear left passenger position is the most suitable option as this is usually the off-road/footpath side of the car.

what do i do with the car restraint if i am involved in a car crash?

If a child car restraint has been involved in a severe crash where the main body structure of the car is damaged then the child restraint should be destroyed even if there is no obvious damage and the child wasn’t using the restraint at the time. Inform your car insurer of the type and number of child restraints used in your vehicle as many insurers will assist with the cost of replacing your child’s car restraint.

my child car restraint is ten years old, can i still use it?

Child car restraints more than ten years of age are not recommended for use because;

Restraints older than ten years may not perform as they were originally intended.
Australian Standards are reviewed periodically. The most recent reviews were in 2004, 2010 and 2013. Older restraints will not meet new improved design features.

can i use second-hand restraints?

It is illegal to sell any restraint that does not comply with AS/NZS 1754. Before using a second-hand child car restraint check for an Australian Standards Sticker (AS/NZS1754), date of manufacture and the history of the restraint. We do not recommend the use of second hand car restraints if you do not know the history of the restraint (i.e. if it has been in an accident). If you are unsure whether to use a second-hand car restraint come and visit us at Kidsafe NT and our team of friendly staff can inspect it for you.

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