Page 3515 - Week 12 - Thursday, 20 September 1990
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vehicle is fitted with restraint anchorage points. Under the Australian design rules, all cars built since 1976, station wagons since 1977, vans since 1986 and small buses since 1987, are equipped with anchorage points. At present, legal protection is given only to vehicle occupants one year of age and over. This Bill will ensure that all persons have legal protection.
Four States have introduced appropriate legislation, and other States will follow shortly. No State initially legislated for the restraint of children under one year of age because of the unavailability of suitable child restraints, such as baby safety capsules and child seats. There was also a high cost associated with the purchase of approved child restraints. Baby capsules cost approximately $100, although I must say that this is a small cost when measured against the value of a child's life.
Road crashes are the most common cause of death for Australian children up to 16 years of age. Most children killed in road accidents are passengers in motor vehicles, and the wearing of seat belts or child restraints has been shown to reduce the death and injury rates of children in crashes significantly. However, parents are still not recognising the importance of keeping their children restrained in vehicles. In the ACT, a staggering 57 per cent of persons killed in road crashes in 1989 were not wearing seat belts or restraints.
Baby capsules and other approved child restraints are readily available in a number of retail outlets in the ACT for those who wish to purchase. In addition, and as a result of the efforts of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, an infant restraint loan service operates in the Territory. It provides baby capsules to parents of newborn babies for only $30. The Motor Vehicle Registry is also available to provide advice on the correct fitment and use of baby capsules and child restraints. A person hiring a rental vehicle is responsible for ensuring a restraint is used. I understand that rental car companies have suitable child restraints available.
The Bill provides for a period of grace of three months before its commencement to allow parents time to hire or purchase a suitable child restraint. During the period of grace a publicity campaign will be conducted to advise motorists of this new legal requirement. It will also direct attention to the issue of seat belt wearing in general.
Mr Speaker, let me say that I particularly welcome the opportunity to introduce this legislation as I believe it addresses a vital road safety issue. It ensures that parents or carers behave in a responsible manner towards young children's safety in vehicles by providing adequate restraints. In addition, this Bill could provide significant cost savings to the community through fewer
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