Community Safety

In a crash, most injuries to car occupants are caused by contact with the steering wheel, dashboard, windscreen and the car's roof and sides.

Seatbelts have proven to help prevent or limit these types of injuries in the majority of crashes. Research has shown that wearing a properly adjusted lap and shoulder seat belt reduces the risk of serious or fatal injury by half.

Even sudden braking or cornering can cause severe injuries to unrestrained passengers. Lap and shoulder belts should be available in all seating positions in the vehicle, including the centre rear seat.

Before driving off

Take a minute to ensure that all your passengers are wearing their seat restraints correctly.

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all children under 16 years of age are wearing an approved seat restraint. Help children learn about the importance of seatbelts by wearing yours on every trip, however short.

Child restraints

On 9 November, 2009 child restraint legislation changed. Children under seven years of age must use a child restraint or booster seat whilst travelling in a car.

•  Infants up to six months must use an approved, properly fastened and adjusted rearward facing restraint.
• Children between six months and four years old must use an approved, properly fastened and adjusted rearward facing child restraint or a forward facing restraint.
• Children between four years and seven years old must use an approved, properly fastened and adjusted forward facing restraint or an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

There are also new laws on where children can sit in vehicles:

If a car has two or more rows of seats, than children under four years must not travel in the front seat.
If all seats, other than the front seats, are being used by children under seven years, children aged between four and six years (inclusive) may travel in the front seat, provided they use an approved restraint or booster that is properly fitted.

Visit the VicRoads website for more information on selecting the right child restraint.