LAUNCH TO HELP PARENTS MAKE SAFE DECISIONS

Today, Ms Mary Porter, Member for Ginninderra, today joined Kidsafe to launch their new child safety brochure and public awareness campaign.

“As a mother and grandmother, this issue is particularly important to me. The well-being and safety of our children must be a priority, so I was delighted to be involved in today’s launch.

“My Government is pleased to be working with Kidsafe to ensure the community is aware of the new rules on mandatory child restraints in cars. Properly fitted restraints can improve a child’s chance of surviving a serious crash,” Ms Porter stated.

“The ACT Government has worked with Kidsafe to prepare a new brochure that will help drivers choose the correct restraint for passengers under the age of seven.

“The new brochure will be distributed to residents in vehicle registration reminders as well as through pre-schools, primary schools and childcare centres.

“The brochure reflects the new child restraint laws, which came into effect on Monday 15 March 2010, and require children to be seated in an Australian Safety Standard approved child restraint or capsule, according to their age and size,” Ms Porter noted. “A 12 month phase-in period will give parents and carers enough time to purchase the appropriate restraints for their children before the laws become mandatory on 15 March 2011.”

Ms Porter said that Kidsafe will also run a broader public awareness campaign.

The campaign aims to increase public awareness of the child restraint laws and to provide support to parents and carers with proper use of these restraints.

“The campaign will include public meetings at preschools and primary schools; restraint check days at preschools and shopping centres; an expanded range of car seats and booster seats available for sale at the Kidsafe Centre and television advertisements.

“There will also be drawing competitions held in schools as a fun way to show children the importance of wearing restraints.

“I am pleased the ACT Government is able to work closely with Kidsafe on this important road safety initiative. I encourage parents and carers to make themselves familiar with the new laws which can be viewed on the Territory and Municipal Services website at www.tams.act.gov.au.

Failure to comply with the new laws after the phase in period (15 March 2011) will attract a fine of $284 and three demerit points.
Statement Ends
Media Contact: Andrew Hunter 02 6205 0428 bh 0431 739 775
Andrew.hunter@parliament.act.gov.au