Medical and road safety experts recommend that children remain sitting in the back seat until they are at least 12. The injury risk to children under 12 is nearly double in the front seat compared to the back seat, regardless of the type of child car seat. Dangers for children sitting in the front seat include powerful airbags, which are often fitted in front passenger seats, and poorly adjusted seatbelts that are too big for a small child.
Children can sustain injuries from adult seatbelts that do not fit them correctly. Research shows that children are safest travelling in the back seat.
ELAA delivers Victoria’s early childhood road safety education program, Starting Out Safely, on behalf of the
Transport Accident Commision (TAC).
Contact the RSE team by email: rse@elaa.org.au
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