Half of children’s car seats fitted incorrectly
Seven hundred children’s car seats were examined during a checkpoint campaign in Nelson, Takaka, Murchison, Motueka and Tapawera in March, revealing that only 50 per cent of children’s car seats had been installed correctly. This was an improvement on a 2004 campaign in which the figure was only 25 per cent.
Of the non-complying car seats, 10 per cent required intervention by the Police and 69 infringement notices were written. The remaining 40 per cent were fitted correctly at the checkpoint. One hundred and twenty anchor bolts and 200 locking clips were given out free of charge.
One of the main causes for concern was the lack of usage of tether straps. By law, all child restraints fitted with tether straps must be correctly installed with an anchor bolt, usually in the rear of the vehicle. Many people are unsure of the safety benefits of tether straps, are unaware of the $150 fine if they are not used, or just don’t know how or where to fit them.
Highlighting the safety benefits of booster seats beyond the age of five was also a campaign priority.
Juliette Plank, Plunket’s car seat rental scheme manager for Nelson and Marlborough, said: “There is definitely pressure from other parents and children to stop using booster seats once their children start school. We are trying to raise public awareness of the issues and were pleased to see many families wanting to use booster seats until their children actually fit properly in an adult seatbelt.”
Golden Bay parents have access to the Plunket car seat rental scheme by phoning 021 024 09937 or 525 6269. A clinic is held behind the BNZ in Takaka every Thursday from 1.30-2.30pm. Plunket spokesperson Clarissa Gray said: “We’re more than happy to help out any parent, no matter what the situation is. Our aim is to get every child into a legal car seat.”
Neil Wilson
