16 March 2005
ACC Plunket scheme to get more seats
Strong demand has prompted ACC to expand a low-rental child car seat scheme targeting low income families that was
launched last year with Plunket Car Seat Rental Schemes.
ACC Programme Manager Heidi Shewan said the scheme had proved very effective since it began in July last year with 1000
seats, and so ACC was going to fund an extra 1000 seats. “In just three months last year, all the ACC funded seats
allocated to four low income areas where there had been low rates of child restraint wearing were rented,” Ms Shewan
said. “
For some parents, money was the only barrier. Once they had an affordable car seat, they were more than happy to use
it.”
The seats are available to parents and caregivers with children under four at a reduced rental and bond. Community
service cardholders and people referred by other agencies such as the Police are among those considered for the
preferential rental arrangements.
Recipients also get training on the correct installation and use of a child restraint. ACC also provides support for
parents/ caregivers receiving ThinkSafe restraints to install anchor bolts into their vehicles if required. “
Research has found that properly used child restraints and safety belts reduce the risk of death in a vehicle crash by
71 percent and injury by 67 percent,” Ms Shewan said.
"Injured children may have to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives, with all the associated social,
emotional and financial costs," she said. Under New Zealand law, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all
children are restrained in the appropriate child restraint or a safety belt. The scheme is one of three ACC partnerships
that help parents get the right car restraints for their children.
ACC also funds Safe2Go, a partnership with LTSA, which trains car seat installation technicians. Other low-cost rental
schemes offer seats to the Maori and Pacific communities through Family Start and the Manukau Urban Maori Authority.
ENDS