By Staff Reporter
QWAQWA – The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged parents and caregivers to strictly adhere to child safety regulations when travelling with children during the festive season.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said authorities had observed with concern at roadside checkpoints across the country that many children were travelling unrestrained, despite vehicles being fitted with approved child restraint systems.
“Parents are reminded that the use of appropriate restraint systems is not negotiable when travelling with children on South African roads. It is a legal requirement that infants and children under the age of three be secured in a properly fitted child restraint seat,” Zwane said.
He warned that it is a criminal offence to allow a child younger than 14 years to travel unrestrained in a vehicle equipped with seatbelts.
Zwane further emphasized that children should use age-appropriate car seats or booster seats until they are tall enough for an adult seatbelt to fit correctly.
“The lap belt must sit low over the hips, and the shoulder belt must cross the chest and shoulder, not the neck. Even if a child is too tall for a booster seat, wearing a seatbelt at all times is mandatory, whether seated in the front or rear of the vehicle.”
He stressed that the responsibility for children’s safety rests entirely with the driver.
“Every driver is expected to ensure that child seats and booster seats are properly secured and in good working condition before every journey. A correctly installed car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path,” he said.
Parents were also advised to minimize driver distraction. If a child becomes irritable or needs attention, drivers should pull over at a safe rest stop rather than attempting to manage the situation while driving.
“All luggage and loose items must be stored in the boot. In the event of a crash, unsecured objects can become dangerous projectiles, posing a serious risk to occupants, especially children,” Zwane added.
Drivers were encouraged to plan regular rest stops every two hours or 200 kilometres to allow children to stretch, use the bathroom and refresh. While fatigue affects drivers, Zwane noted that restless children can also significantly increase the risk of distraction.
Parents and caregivers were urged to teach children basic travel safety rules, including not tampering with door handles or windows while the vehicle is in motion.
Child safety locks should always be activated, and children must keep their hands, heads and other body parts inside the vehicle at all times.
Zwane concluded by cautioning that children should never be left unattended in a vehicle, even for a short period, as this exposes them to risks such as heat-related harm, distress and possible abduction.
