Car seats save little lives, but 90 percent are incorrectly fitted or adjusted, putting children at risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
So Kidsafe Victoria is calling for more funding to conduct more “essential checks” of car seats for parents.
Data collected from more than 36,000 child car restraint checks across the state found that nine out of 10 were incorrectly installed or used.
Issues ranged from headrests sitting too low, harness straps too loose, and children moved into a forward-facing or booster seat too early.
Kidsafe Victoria CEO Sarah Sexton said the demand for professional child car restraint fittings far exceeded current resources.
“Parents and caregivers want to ensure their children’s car seats are installed correctly, but our resources are stretched,” she said.
“Without additional funding, we can’t meet the growing demand for these life-saving checks.
Ms Sexton said the risk of life-threatening injuries in a car accident was four to six times greater when child car restraints were incorrectly fitted or used.
Melbourne mum Zoe ten Broek knows firsthand the life-saving importance of a properly fitted child car restraint after a devastating crash left her infant son, Jax, fighting for life.
In 2022, Zoe secured Jax in his rear-facing car seat for the 20-minute drive to her parents’ home. Their car was t-boned on Jax’s side, leaving the one-year-old unconscious and suffering multiple seizures.
He was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where he underwent four surgeries to treat a fractured skull, torn neck ligaments, and severe head trauma.
Doctors told Zoe that Jax’s rear-facing position likely saved his life.
He has experienced some developmental delays, but today, aged almost six years old, he is “really just your average little boy”.
“Not a day goes by where I don’t think about what life would be like if we weren’t so lucky,” she said. “If sharing our story helps just one family make a safer choice, it’s worth it.”
Senior Constable Travis Perkins from Casey Highway Patrol said the Casey area was in the top five for serious injury and fatal collisions in Victoria.
“Many parents are unaware that their child’s car seat isn’t fitted properly, and that small mistakes can have devastating consequences in the event of a crash,” he said.
“Kidsafe offers an invaluable resource as they don’t just ensure the restraint is properly fitted, they also educate parents and carers on how to use them properly.”
To donate or find out more about road safety, visit kidsafevic.com.au.
