The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has reiterated its call on parents to ensure that children are secured in appropriate child restraints or car seats when travelling during the festive season.
This comes after RMC noted that many parents were allowing children to travel unrestrained in vehicles with approved child restraints or child seats
“It is a legal requirement for infants and children under the age of three years to be secured in an appropriate child restraint seat (car seat) that is correctly fitted. It is a criminal offence to allow a child younger than 14 years to travel unrestrained in a vehicle that is equipped with seatbelts,” the RTMC said.
The onus is entirely on the adult or driver to ensure the safety of all children in the vehicle.
Every driver is expected to check that the child seats or booster seats are properly secured and in working condition before every journey.
A properly installed car seat should not move more than an inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path.
Even if a child is too tall for a booster seat, they must always wear a seatbelt, regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or rear.
“Fatigue affects the driver, but restless children can also be a major cause of driver distraction. Parents and caregivers are urged to teach children fundamental safety rules for travel.
“Instruct children never to tamper with door handles or attempt to open windows while the car is moving. Activate child safety locks. Children should keep their hands, heads, and other body parts inside the vehicle always,” RTMC said.
Parents and caregivers have been warned to not leave children unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time, as this poses risks related to heat, distress, and abduction.
“Parents must ensure the driver is not distracted by trying to manage an irritable child. It is safer to pull over to a safe rest stop if a child requires attention, feeding, or a break.
“All luggage and loose items should be stored in the boot. An object can become a dangerous projectile in the event of a crash, posing a significant risk to occupants, especially children. Drivers must plan for frequent stops (every 2 hours or 200 kms) to allow children to stretch, use the bathroom, and refresh,” RTMC said. - SAnews.gov.za
