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Legal Requirements with kids under 7
trounced - May 22nd, 2011 at 11:44 PM

Hey all just looking at a few beach buggy style cars to tow behind our Project motorhome we are building.

Was just wondering if anyone here could shed any light on the requirements of seat belts and kids seats now that kids under 7 need a full car seat and anchor point ?

was wondering if a car is pre 70's when seat belts became law and the car/bug doesnt have any does that mean that seat belts and kids seats etc are not required ?

any information would be great dont want to buy something only to find out that we legally cant use it with the kids :-(

thanks

Wes

pod - May 23rd, 2011 at 01:29 AM

probably the best way to find out is to ring your states rego authority

daydreamer - May 23rd, 2011 at 08:11 AM

There is a weight and age range where infants have to be in approved child restraints fixed to approved anchor points . outside that range, 7yrs and under must be seated in approved booster seats and must wear seat belts. RTA will give you the exact
legislation. But personally they are kids and should have seat belts for their safety regardless of the legislation. Their safety first, heaven forbit if something did happen you'd never forgive yourself. trust me, Images you won't get out of your head.

trounced - May 23rd, 2011 at 08:19 AM

we would make sure there was something for the kids but just out here where we live its next to impossible to get things engineered so i didnt want to have to go through all that again.

might have to go and talk to the RTA and see what they say.

i just wasnt sure on what the RTA or Legislation stated where the car didnt by law need to have these restraints.

this wont be a car that will be driven long distance, its going to be something that will zip down to the shops from the location of the motorhome and back and it will do some beach and offroad work as well.

thanks for your help guys i will look into it.

Wes

68Volkaru - May 23rd, 2011 at 09:41 AM

Howdy,

As of March 2011 the rules and regs have change in regards to it all in Australia, here is a link which has some handy info:

http://www.kidsafeact.com.au/new_road_rules 

Talk to your RTA as you said, as they will have the specifics for your buggy, plus they will also have a list of who is registered to fit anchor points nearest you and then you don't have to go and get it engineered as they are qualified to fit etc..

Cheers
Renee :-)

helbus - May 23rd, 2011 at 06:50 PM

No matter what age car, if it does not have seatbelts and/ or anchor points to suit the regulations, then children cannot any longer be in that car.