Mobile Baby Seat Fitting Services

QLD LAWS

Child Restraints

Department of Transport and Main Roads) (source)

Children and adults must be properly restrained to ensure their safety while travelling in motor vehicles.

From 11 March 2010, it’s the law for all children up to 7 years of age to be correctly restrained according to their size and age. It is important that the correct child restraint is chosen and installed.

Important Notice – Introduction of new child restraint Standard

A revision of the Australian and New Zealand standard for the design and performance of child restraints was released on 24 February 2010 that classifies restraints based on approximate age and seated height rather than the previous weight and age range.

Child restraints that are compliant with this new Standard (AS/NZS1754:2010) will include shoulder height markers to ensure appropriate use of the seat. The new Standard of child restraint will no longer rely on the child’s weight, making it easier for parents and carers to ensure that the appropriate restraint is being used.

The markers will clearly indicate when a child has outgrown his or her restraint and reduce the incidence of premature graduation. Once the child’s shoulders reach the seat height limit of the restraint, the child should move up to the next type of restraint where his or her shoulders are in line with or above the lowest marker.

It is important to note that child restraints that comply with previous Standards may still be used. These Standards include:

It is important to note that child restraints that comply with previous Standards may still be used. These Standards include:

• AS 1754-1991
• AS/NZS 1754 – 1995
• AS/NZS 1754 - 2000
• AS/NZS 1754 - 2004

Don’t risk a child’s life, or serious injury to the most precious cargo you’ll every carry. The penalty for incorrectly securing a child is A$330 and 3 demerit points.

So what are the changes announced in Queensland?

The Queensland changes to the road safety laws for approved, properly fastened and adjusted child restraints and booster seats are as follows:

• Children less than 6 months to be secured in a rear-facing child restraint;
• Children between 6 months and 4 years must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint or a forward-facing child restraint with an in-built harness;
• Children aged from 4 years must use a booster seat with a child-harness or a booster seat with a seat belt until they turn 7 years of age;
• From 7 years of age children can travel in a car secured in either:
  • a booster seat;
  • a booster seat and child harness;
  • a seat belt and child harness; or
  • the car's seat belt.

The Queensland Road Safety Laws also require:

• Children under 4 years will not be allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle with 2 or more rows, even if the child is 3 years of age and large enough to sit in a booster;
• Children aged between 4 and less than 7 years will not be allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle with 2 or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children under 7 years of age;
• Vehicles with only one row of seats are exempt from the requirement that the child must sit in the rear seat. A child of any age can travel in the front seat provided they are properly restrained. If an airbag is fitted then a rear facing child restraint must not be used.