When is it safe for a child to use an adult seatbelt?

Children aged between 7 and 16 years are required to use a booster seat or adult seat belt when travelling in a vehicle. An adult lap sash seatbelt is designed for people of a minimum height of 145cms and over (the average age children reach this height is between 10 to 12 years old).

The safest option for your child will depend on your child’s height – do the five step test to find out.

The five step test

This five-step test can help assess whether a child is big enough to be safely restrained by a seatbelt. The child should be able to:

Sit with their back against the seat back

Bend their knees comfortably over the front of the seat cushion

Sit with the sash belt across their mid-shoulder

Sit with the lap belt across the top of their thighs

Remain in this position for the whole trip.

https://childroadsafety.org.au/information-for-families/

We have a height charts in various places around the school so that you can measure your child to see if they are tall enough to be in a car safely without a booster seat.

Please remember to use the ‘safety door’ when getting out of your car at school to ensure your children are getting out of the car safely – this is the curb/footpath side rear door.

Information for families about choosing a safe car seat and a safety door sticker have been placed in student Reading bags (Junior School) and schoolbags (Senior Bags).   

Kind Regards,

Karen Glancy- Foundation Parent