Child Safety
GM Holden recommends that children aged 12 years and under should ride in the rear seat of a vehicle, properly restrained. Research shows that children are safer if restrained in a rear seat.
This applies to an infant riding in a rear-facing capsule, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat, an older child riding in a booster seat and children large enough to wear a seat belt alone.
While research shows that children who were properly restrained have survived high-speed crashes with minor injuries or bruising, misuse of child restraints is responsible for a range of serious injuries.
Common misuses include placing a child in a seat which is inappropriate for that child's weight and height; not anchoring the seat tightly enough; not using top tethers; incorrectly threading seatbelts; loose, unbuckled, twisted and damaged seatbelts.
To raise public awareness about the proper use of infant capsules and car seats, GM Holden sponsors a free mobile service where an expert fitter visits kindergartens, community groups and Holden dealerships in NSW and Victoria to offer professional advice on correct child seat fitment.
New child restraint laws have been approved by Australia's Transport ministers and are expected to be implemented by the end of 2009. Key changes will be:
- Children less than six months old must be restrained in a rearward facing restraint;
- Children older than six months and under four years must be restrained in a forward facing restraint;
- Children aged between four and seven years of age must be in a forward facing restraint or a booster seat, and
- Children aged seven years and under should not sit in the front seat, unless all the rear seat positions are occupied by other young children (under 7 years old).
Take advantage of Holden's free child restraint check service and/or apply for a Holden Kids in Cars event in your local community.
