Car Safety Campaign

Soch Campaign (Soch means Ð''Think')

Introduction

It takes time to change people's attitudes. This campaign tries to make people think about road safety and take on board key messages.

We can't tell you what to do, but we can show you the consequences of your behavior. You may be breaking the law as well as risking your own and other people's lives.

Through this campaign you can access clips and images of TV and radio adverts and other of promotional materials from the past and present.

Child Care Seats

The Andhra Pradesh government is governing the use of child car seats are due to come into force in October 2006. This campaign will start running advertisements from August 1st to advise parent and carers about the new regulations governing the use of child car seats.

The Safety Minister in Andhra Pradesh said that "Most people make sure that children use some kind of restraint when travelling on the road, but it is vitally important to use the right one; and not to use an adult belt before the child is big enough."

"Small children need the protection that baby seats and child seats are designed to provide. Seat belts are designed for adults. Children who have grown out of child seats still need to use booster seats and booster cushions."

"We estimate that these changes could prevent over 2000 child deaths or injuries each year."

1. Are there any exemptions?

Three exceptions allow children 3 years to 135 cms in height to travel in the rear and use an adult belt:

Ð'* in a taxi, if the right child restraint is not available;

Ð'* for an occasional journey over a short distance, if the right child restraint is not available;

Ð'* where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat.

Children under 3 years may travel n the rear of a taxi unrestrained if not child restraint is available.

2. What do you mean by "child restraints"?

"Child restraints" is the collective term in the seat belt wearing legislation for:

Ð'* baby seats - rear-facing and for children up to 13 kgs (approx age birth to 9-12 months);;

Ð'* child seats - forward facing and for children 9 kgs to 18 kgs (approx 9 months to 4 years);

Ð'* booster seats - for children from 15 kgs to 25 kgs, or 15kgs and up to 36 kgs and up (from approx 4 years);

Ð'* booster cushions - for children from 22 kgs and up (from approx 6 years).

3. When will the regulations come into force?

Regulations have been laid for the approval of Parliament. Subject to that approval, we expect them to come into force on 18 October 2006.

4. Why are the rules changing?

The changes update regulations dating from 1993 when many more cars on the road than now did not have rear seat belts. The old rules are generally to use child seats and boosters Ð''if they are available'. The vast majority of cars now have rear seat belts. Therefore parents can now benefit by always using child seats and boosters.

5. Who is responsible for making sure children are properly restrained in the car?

Drivers are legally responsible for making sure that children under 14 years use seat belts or child restraints in cars and goods vehicles. Those 14 years and above are responsible for themselves.

6. What are the penalties for non-compliance?

A rupees 5000 fixed penalty notice. If a case goes to court, the maximum fine is Rupees 1 Lakh. Penalty points are not applicable. In 2004, there were some 200,000 fixed penalties issued by the police and about 5000 cases went to court.

7. Does that mean that I may not carry children in just a seat belt if they are under 135cm?

Correct - the new law requires this for children's safety. There are a few exemptions but parents and carers will need to think ahead about how they, or someone else, will be carrying their child.

8. Surely adult seat belts are OK for older children?

Ð'* Adult seat belts are best for people over 150 cms (approx 5') in height and with an adult bone structure. Children need to use child seats and boosters to be safe - they put them in the right position to benefit from the adult seat belt properly.

Ð'* The lap belt element of an adult seat belt needs to go as low as possible over the stomach. Therefore a child needs to be boosted up so the adult belt fits properly. If not, the adult belt sits too high over the stomach and in a crash there is a risk of damage to internal organs as well as slipping out under the belt.

9. What if I am carrying more children than I can fit car seats?

All children up to 135 cms in height MUST use the correct child restraint and therefore you may not carry more children than there are child restraints . However, if a car has 3 seat belts in the rear, and 2 occupied child seats or boosters prevent the fitting of a third, a third child 3 years or over may then use an adult belt in the rear. If there is room, it would be safer for the third child to travel in the front seat and use the correct child seat or booster. See below about air-bags in front seats.

10. What about travelling in taxis?

Ð'* It is impracticable to expect the right child seat or booster to be available in a taxi unless parents have brought one with them. Therefore, there is an exception so that if child restraints are not available in a taxi:

o under 3s may travel unrestrained but in the rear only;

o those 3 years and above must use an adult belt in the rear seat only.

o Remember that a child up to 135 cms in a front seat of any vehicle must use the correct child seat or booster.

The driver of the