Research released this week has indicated that the majority of Australian parents are unaware of the laws surrounding child car seats.
The law states that all children up to the age of 12 or 1.35cm in height must use a child seat to protect them in the case of an accident.
However, consumer experts have found that one in five parents don’t use the seats and 53 per cent of those who buy them are unaware of how to fit them into their vehicle.
Which? editor Richard Headland believes the findings are worrying as children are at a higher risk of injury.
“Our research shows there’s a lot of confusion around using and fitting child car seats, getting it wrong could lead to a fine and even endanger a child’s safety”, Mr Headland said.
“Any motor insurance claim could be rejected if a child were injured because they were in the wrong sort of seat.
“A driver could even face having to pay civil damages in the courts if they failed to carry someone else’s child safely”, Mr Headland said.
To find out more about Australian baby and child vehicle laws, visit http://www.babycenter.com.au/a1033422/car-seat-laws-in-australia.
