Dear Editor,
The holiday season is typically a time when families make lengthy journeys to be together, celebrate and relax. At this time of year, people often find themselves travelling with children who would not normally be in their care and it is important to remember that NSW has very clear rules around the safety restraints for children travelling in a car.
In NSW, children up to six months need to be placed in a rear facing child restraint, while children six months to four years old should ride in either a rear or forward facing restraint.
Forward facing restraints or a booster seat must be used for children between four and seven years old. It is also important to remember that children between four and seven years of age cannot travel in the front seat of a car with two or more rows, unless all other seats are occupied by younger children in an approved child restraint.
While all states and territories have rules around travelling with children there can be slight variations, so if you are driving with children in NSW it is important to make sure you are adhering to the NSW laws.
Have a happy holiday season and a safe new year.
Genevieve Henderson
Slater & Gordon