Car crashes remain a leading cause of injury and death among young children in South Africa. While many parents believe seat belts alone offer enough protection, research shows that correctly used car seats can reduce the risk of injury by up to 80%.
Despite this, many South African children travel without proper restraints, especially in taxis and school transport vehicles. According to Wheel Well, a non-profit dedicated to child car safety, 93% of children in South Africa do not travel in proper car seats, and over 70% of parents struggle to afford one.
Understanding the National Road Traffic Act’s car seat laws, how to choose the right seat, and common mistakes to avoid can help keep children safe.
South African Child Car Seat Laws
According to South Africa’s National Road Traffic Act (NRTA):
- Children under three years old must be secured in a car seat when traveling in a private vehicle.
- Children should use a car seat, booster seat, or appropriate restraint until they are at least 1.35m tall or 12 years old.
- Not wearing a seatbelt or using the wrong type of car seat can result in fines or penalties.
How to Choose the Right Car Seat for Your Child
Car seats are designed to protect children at different stages of growth. Using the correct seat for your child’s age, height, and weight is essential.
1. Rear-Facing Car Seats (0–2 years)
- Offers the best protection for babies and toddlers.
- Designed to absorb impact and protect a child’s developing spine and head.
- Recommended for as long as possible (until at least 2 years old or the seat’s weight limit).
2. Forward-facing Car Seats (2–4 years)
- Includes a 5-point harness for additional protection.
- Best suited for toddlers who have outgrown their rear-facing seats.
3. Booster Seats (4–12 years)
- Raises a child so that the car’s seatbelt fits correctly over their chest and hips.
- Required until they reach 1.35m in height or are old enough to fit an adult seatbelt safely.
4. Seatbelts Only (12+ years or 1.35m tall)
- Children should sit in the back seat whenever possible.
- The seatbelt should lie across their shoulder (not their neck) and across their hips (not their stomach).
Common Car Seat Mistakes Parents Make
Many children are at risk due to improper car seat usage. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Loose harness straps: Straps should be snug with no slack.
- Moving children to the next seat stage too soon: The longer they stay in the correct seat, the safer they are.
- Placing a rear-facing car seat in front of an active airbag: This can cause serious injury in an accident.
- Using expired or second-hand car seats that have not been thoroughly checked: Seats degrade over time, reducing their effectiveness.
Car Safety in Taxis and School Transport
While private vehicles offer some level of control, public transport safety is a major concern for many parents. Most minibus taxis do not have seatbelts or car seats, putting children at serious risk.
If public transport is your only option, consider:
- Choosing transport services that offer seatbelts and prioritise safety.
- Educate children on how to sit properly and hold on to stable areas.
Every year, thousands of children suffer preventable injuries because of improper car seat use or unsafe transport conditions. By ensuring your child is in the correct car seat, using seatbelts properly, and advocating for safer school transport, you can help reduce this risk.
The Isipho Sami #CarSeatDrive: Ensuring More Children Travel Safely
To address South Africa’s child car safety crisis, Old Mutual Insure’s Isipho Sami (My Gift) campaign has partnered with Wheel Well to launch the Isipho Sami #CarSeatDrive. The initiative aims to collect 500 car seats to be refurbished and distributed to underprivileged families across South Africa.
This drive responds to the alarming fact that over 878 children under 14 lost their lives in car crashes in 2021, many of whom could have been saved with the proper use of a car seat. Children from lower-income families are three times more likely to be affected, making the availability of affordable car seats essential.
Every year, thousands of children suffer preventable injuries because of improper car seat use or unsafe transport conditions. By ensuring your child is in the correct car seat, using seatbelts properly, and advocating for safer school transport, you can help reduce this risk. No trip is too short for safety; every time your child gets into a car, they should be secured correctly. It’s a small step that can save their life.
For more information, visit: https://wheelwell.co.za/car-seats-for-kids/