New Child Restraints Law from 1 November

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Klipspringer

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#133532 25-Oct-2013 12:19

OK, I am trying to get my head around this one.

My daughter has not had to use a child restraint since she turned 5 in 2012.

This means I need to go out and buy 2 new car seats, we have 2 cars.

I did see some booster seats at the warehouse yesterday which were not badly priced. So my question, is a booster seat classed as a child restraint? According to the lady at the warehouse my daughter will need a full car seat.

I am getting conflicting information from different people. Its only a few months to go until my daughter turns 7, don't really want to splash out on 2 new full car seats.

Whats your thoughts on this? booster seat, or full car seat?

Cheers

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#921599 25-Oct-2013 12:23

My boys - 7 and 8.5 respectively have been in booster seats for the last year and 18 months (again, respectively).

A certified or acceptable child restraint is largely dependent on size, weight and age of the child, as i understand it.

If your daughter is 6 and of sutable height, a booster should be enough. Maybe one with a removable back, so it fits for a while, but still offers good stability and protection?

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Klipspringer

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#921603 25-Oct-2013 12:25

duh

Just found the information on the NZTA website.
Looks like a booster seat will do

DravidDavid

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#921639 25-Oct-2013 13:19

I can't imagine a 7 year old would want to use a full car seat after not having to use one. Good luck to all the parents out there.

andrewNZ

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#921651 25-Oct-2013 13:37

My understanding is, every seat is rated for a specific weight. As long as the seat is certified, and it's rating matches the child, it's fine.

Those half boosters at the Warehouse look pretty good.

surfisup1000

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#921662 25-Oct-2013 14:03

Klipspringer: OK, I am trying to get my head around this one.

My daughter has not had to use a child restraint since she turned 5 in 2012.

This means I need to go out and buy 2 new car seats, we have 2 cars.

I did see some booster seats at the warehouse yesterday which were not badly priced. So my question, is a booster seat classed as a child restraint? According to the lady at the warehouse my daughter will need a full car seat.

I am getting conflicting information from different people. Its only a few months to go until my daughter turns 7, don't really want to splash out on 2 new full car seats.

Whats your thoughts on this? booster seat, or full car seat?

Cheers

My personal opinion based on some research I read over the years - the safest option for your child is to keep them in a full sized car seat until around 10.

But, kids are not going to want to do that unless the law says so. Therefore, I think our new laws are an improvement.

There should be exceptions for tourists using taxis or other public transport. I recall , In LA it was a legal requirement to put your kid into a car seat even using taxis . That was a PITA, and basically taxis break the law to take young kids -- we got refused by a number of taxis back when these laws first came into effect. And, in general , taxis do not carry car seats around.

Bee

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#921663 25-Oct-2013 14:04

2nd hand on trademe?

For just a couple of months its almost not worth bothering but if you don't you just know they will have a blitz on it and get you...

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

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GregV

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#921734 25-Oct-2013 15:42

148cms is the recommended height for a child to no longer use a child restraint. Any shorter than this, and the seat-belt will not secure them correctly.

It would also be much easier to police on the road-side, to ensure compliance. No lying about how old a child is, just grab out the measuring tape.

NZtechfreak

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#921758 25-Oct-2013 15:51

The laws are good, although compliance can indeed be a pain for parents (hence legislation to compel them).

Children's seats are designed so that in a crash forces are dispersed in the fashion least likely to cause injury (for example in young children the pelvis is a much less rigid structure than adults, so lap belts are not suitable restraints as the force of a crash is transmitted through the pelvis if restrained by a lap belt).

While it might be a pain to have to procure new seats, not using the correct seats is a conscious decision to put your children at greater risk.

Check out hiring from Plunket, much more cost effective and they can advise on best seats how to secure them etc.

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vexxxboy

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#921759 25-Oct-2013 15:55

from the way i read it if your child is between 5-7 , you dont have to go and buy one if you dont have one.

Children aged between five and seven must use a child restraint if available. If not available, they must use a safety belt. If a safety belt is not available they must travel in the back seat.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Lazarui

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#921783 25-Oct-2013 16:45

vexxxboy: from the way i read it if your child is between 5-7 , you dont have to go and buy one if you dont have one.

Children aged between five and seven must use a child restraint if available. If not available, they must use a safety belt. If a safety belt is not available they must travel in the back seat.

What if a back seat is not available?

lxsw20

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#921788 25-Oct-2013 17:00

Then they travel un the ute tray against the window

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Geektastic

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#922002 26-Oct-2013 12:14

Klipspringer: OK, I am trying to get my head around this one.

My daughter has not had to use a child restraint since she turned 5 in 2012.

This means I need to go out and buy 2 new car seats, we have 2 cars.

I did see some booster seats at the warehouse yesterday which were not badly priced. So my question, is a booster seat classed as a child restraint? According to the lady at the warehouse my daughter will need a full car seat.

I am getting conflicting information from different people. Its only a few months to go until my daughter turns 7, don't really want to splash out on 2 new full car seats.

Whats your thoughts on this? booster seat, or full car seat?

Cheers

Realised I was NFI when I saw this "New Child Restraints Law" was not about what I hoped it was about...!

I thought peace might be returning to cafes, restaurants, planes etc!

mattwnz

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#922037 26-Oct-2013 14:03

When I was a kid, we used to get picked up from school by a rotation of parents, and often the boot of the station wagon or van was filled with kids. Everything seems so much harder these days for parents. Don't know how using a rooster for parents could now be possible. Good luck.

richms

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#922059 26-Oct-2013 14:38

mattwnz: When I was a kid, we used to get picked up from school by a rotation of parents, and often the boot of the station wagon or van was filled with kids. Everything seems so much harder these days for parents. Don't know how using a rooster for parents could now be possible. Good luck.

Why do you think they all buy those 7 seater 4wd monstrosities?

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#922231 26-Oct-2013 21:17

I find the NZ Child Restraints site has some pretty good info on most things relating to child restraint use and law in NZ. Note: It is run by an independent entity, not a government agency or anything.

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