When it comes to keeping your family safe in the car, there’s nothing more important than making sure everyone is properly buckled in using a car seat belt. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. In this blog post we’ll take a look at everything you need to consider before buying a car seat belt and answer any questions you may have.
History of Seat Belt Use in Australia
In Australia, the history of seat belt use dates back to the late 1950s when they were manufactured in the country. Consistent with the early history of road safety in this country, however, many of the details relating to seat belts were not available until the real breakthrough with modern seat belts came in 1958 when Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin invented the three-point seatbelt.
It was mid-1900’s when two American car manufacturers, Nash and Ford, decided to offer seat belt as a purchasable option in cars. Front seatbelts became mandatory in all cars sold in Australia after January 1, 1969 and Victoria became the first place in the world to make the use of seat belts mandatory by law in December 1970.
In 2015, 177 vehicle occupants who were not wearing a seat belts were killed in Australia, representing approximately 15% of all road crash fatalities. With the invention of the car and all its possibilities inevitably came vehicular fatalities, which doubled by the mid-20th century. Prior to 1959, only two-point lap belts were available but by 1965 every US car maker had voluntarily installed front seat belts in new vehicles.
Safety Belt Fit: An Essential Guide
An Essential Guide is an important part of ensuring the safety of everyone in the car. It is important to understand the basics of seat belt fit and how to check that your child is properly secured. The lap belt should be low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly, and the shoulder belt should go across the chest.
If the vehicle’s seat has no headrest, check that the booster seat has a high back. If the vehicle has a headrest, you can use a lap and shoulder belt when the seat belts fit your child properly. Knowing these basics can help ensure that everyone in the car is safely buckled up for every ride.
Who Needs to Wear Seat Belts?
Everyone in the vehicle is required to wear a seat belt if the car is fitted with them, regardless of age. In Australia, seat belt laws were introduced in 1970 to increase road safety and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by road accidents. It is essential for drivers and passengers to use car seats and seat belts correctly in order to maximize safety.
Children under the age of 16 should always be secured in an appropriate child restraint, while adults should make sure that the shoulder belt crosses their chest and the lap belt fits snugly across their upper thighs. Those who qualify for medical exceptions must have a certificate from their doctor to prove it. It is important that everyone takes the time to check their seat belt fit before driving, as this will ensure a safe journey for all passengers. If you want to lear more about car parts click here.
Why Car Seats Are Important
Car seats are incredibly important for protecting children in the event of a car accident. Compared with seat belt use alone, car seats reduce the risk of injury for children by greater than 70%. It is essential to make sure you use the right child seat (restraint) or booster correctly, as it will reduce the impact on your child’s head and body if you have a car accident.
The lap belt should be low and snug across your child’s upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should lie across the middle of their chest and shoulder. It is advised to ask an expert to fit the car seat for you as they will be able to give you the best advice on how to properly secure your child in the seat. Taking time to ensure correct installation can provide much-needed safety and security when travelling with children.
What Is a Safety Belt?
A seat belt, also known as a safety belt, is a type of vehicle safety device designed to secure the driver or passenger of a vehicle against harmful movement that may occur during a crash. Seat belts are installed in all modern cars and are an essential safety feature for drivers and passengers alike.
It works by restraining the strongest parts of the body—shoulders, chest, and pelvis—so that they remain in their seats during a crash or sudden stop. Seat belts are an easy and inexpensive way to reduce the risk of serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Wearing a seat belt is required by law in Australia, so be sure to buckle up for every ride.
The Top 5 Things To Know About Buckling Up
Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash, with seat belts have saved an estimated 13,941 people in 2015 alone. It is essential that your safety belt fits correctly – the webbing should be checked for any nicks, cuts, holes, and fraying, while lap belts should lie snugly across the upper thighs or low on your hips. For children, the chest clip should be lined up with the top of their armpits.
If your vehicle seat belt buckles are hard to access due to a car seat or booster seat, consider moving it to ensure your child is properly protected. Additionally, remember that many states have laws requiring all kids aged 12 and under to ride in the back seat. Finally, always ensure you are aware of the latest car seat safety information and regulations when making a purchase.
Seat Belt Fit: How To Check
Seat belt fit is essential for safety when travelling in a car. To check if your child is ready for the seat belt alone, you can use the Safety Belt Fit Test. First, make sure the shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat. Check that their knees bend at the edge of the seat when their feet are flat on the floor. If the seatbelt does not fit correctly, your child still needs a booster seat. Every vehicle is different, so it’s important to test every new car they use. Kids come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to make sure that the seatbelt fits correctly before getting rid of their booster seat.
Perth Seat Belt Laws
The laws in Perth are clear when it comes to seat belt use. Every driver and passenger aged seven or over must wear a seat belt in a car, taxi or rideshare service. Children aged one to seven should be restrained in an approved standard seatbelt. Operators of these vehicles must ensure that children are properly restrained with either an approved forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness, or a booster seat with a properly fastened and adjusted seatbelt.
Additionally, drivers must ensure that passengers under the age of 17 are wearing the correct restraint for their age, size and weight. Wearing a seatbelt is not only the law, but it is also essential for safety. So make sure to buckle up every time you get into a vehicle!
Everything You Should Know When Buying a Car Seat
When it comes to buying a car seat, there are several important factors to consider. It’s important to choose a harness or seatbelt that fits correctly and is not twisted, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the car seat in protecting your child. You should also make sure that the car seat you purchase meets safety standards, and if you know that it was in a crash, don’t use it. Additionally, you may want to consider an i-Size car seat for babies up to 15 months old, as these are designed for optimal safety. With all of these factors in mind, our Car Seat Configurator can help you find the right car seat for your family.
The Benefits of Using Car Seats and Seat Belts
The Benefits of Using Car Seats and Seat Belts are clear – not only do they keep you safe in the event of an accident, but they also help to protect other motorists. Seat belts have been proven to save lives, reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half, and protect children from being injured in a car accidents.
Furthermore, wearing seatbelts correctly is essential to ensure that you are fully protected in the event of a collision. It is important to remember that seat belts were designed for use by adults, and children need their own child restraint system or booster seat for maximum protection. Taking the time to make sure your seatbelt is fitted correctly is the best way to ensure you’re as safe as possible while driving. This article was written by AQG Auto Wreckers Perth!