THE PRESS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1984. Children still in danger

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 18

THE PRESS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1984. Children still in danger

The greater use of safety seats and belts for children in cars is welcome, but still no cause for complete satisfaction. The most recent survey suggests that 60 per cent of infants and up to 80 per cent of children under the age of four are now securely restrained when travelling in cars. This is a big improvement on the state of affairs as recently as 1981, when a similar survey found that very few infants and young children were buckled in. The sad corollary of the most recent survey, however, is that thousands of young New Zealanders are still being put at risk by careless or forgetful parents; the inescapable result is that some of those babies and young children will die needlessly, or be injured in what might otherwise be a minor mishap. Until recently, the death rate for child passengers on New Zealand roads was three times higher than the rate in Britain or in Sweden. The greater use of child restraints in cars in New Zealand has brought with it a reduction in deaths and serious injuries. Publicity campaigns, the activities of the Ministry of Transport, and the concern of interested groups as diverse as the Accident Compensation Corporation and the Playcentre Federation have helped to bring about this improvement. Perhaps the most significant single, practical contribution has been made by the Plunket Society. From small beginnings three years ago, the society now provides a service in almost 300 centres so that parents can rent approved child car seats. The investment in the stock of 12,000 seats for the

hire pool has been more than $1 million. No price can be put on the well-being of the youngsters who have the benefit of the added security that the seats provide. New regulations that will come into force at the end of this month should also serve to give extra protection to young passengers of all ages. In plain terms, the regulations will require that when a child is travelling in a vehicle equipped with a child restraint, the restraint must be used. If only an ordinary seat belt is available, this must be used to restrain the child. Failing this, the child must be placed in the rear of the vehicle and cannot travel in the front seat while adults are riding in the rear. Legislation and regulations are, at best, effective only if people act in accordance with the spirit of the law. Not all breaches of the regulations will be discovered, though some may be paid for with a child’s life.

In spite of repeated warnings of the dangers, some parents still carry their children on their laps, or allow them to stand on the front seat. In either event, a sudden stop can propel the child into, or through, the windscreen with fatal consequences. The message has been getting through to most parents; the means to secure safety are readily available; and good sense can minimise the danger. The cause must still be pressed until failure to apply the rules and the equipment pricks the conscience of every driver. Until then, the new regulations will at least enable the Ministry of Transport to do more to save children from harm. $