Restraints reminder for Palmerston North parents

Parents and caregivers were reminded of the need to seat children in correctly fitted child restraints at check stops around Palmerston North today.

Horizons Regional Council road safety coordinator Desley Monks was joined by Police and Plunket staff outside Takaro Kindergarten, The Warehouse and Somerset Crescent School throughout the day with a focus on driver education.

“It’s all about raising awareness and keeping our kids safe in cars. Children can be particularly vulnerable in crashes and must use an approved child restraint up until seven years of age,” Mrs Monks says.

“Children are smaller with different body shapes they need a different form of protection that adult seatbelts can’t provide. It’s recommended that all children remain in approved child restraints when travelling until they’re taller than 148cm.

“Plunket is available to help with car seat safety. They hire out seats, offer a range of child restraints and booster seats for purchase and will assist with installation of any car seats brought to them for checking.”

Around five children are killed or injured in crashes on New Zealand roads every week. Some of these injuries can be attributed to a child wearing only a seat belt and not being in an approved child seat.

Mrs Monks says it was disappointing to see the majority of drivers stopped with children in their vehicles either didn’t have car seats or had them incorrectly installed.

“Often just a few minor adjustments can make a world of difference and I encourage anyone who is unsure about the safety of their car seat or child restraint to go and see the team at Plunket. Be safe, not sorry,” she says.

More information about child restraint requirements is available from the New Zealand Transport Agency website www.nzta.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media