the NeuRA blog

By Prof Lynne Bilston and A/Prof Julie Brown

While we’re all excited to get on the road and begin our journey in the holiday season, it is important to ensure everything is secure before travelling –especially the children.

A correctly fitted child car restraint, appropriate for the child’s age and size, can reduce the risk of serious injury or death in road crashes by up to 70%

Always read the restraint instruction booklet carefully when installing the restraint. Keep the instructions with the restraint in the pouch provided in case you need to refit the restraint or adjust the harnessing.

Some Common mistakes to check before travelling:

• Seatbelts: not connected at all, incorrect pathway used, damaged or twisted.
• Harnessing: incorrectly fitted (too loose) or incorrectly adjusted.
• Top tether straps: not connected, not central to seating position used.
• Anchorage assembly: incorrect components or assembly; misidentification of anchorage points leading to attachment to things other than the child car restraint anchor point.
• ISOFIX attachment not secured correctly, installed in addition to adult seatbelt, or installed in incorrect seating position.
• Incorrect installation can lead to increased risk of injury and increased severity of injury.

Click here for more information on travelling safely with children