Two infants killed in car crashes

Media Release

23 April 2004

Two infants killed in car crashes
if only they had been restrained ....

The deaths of two infants in car crashes in Tauranga and Napier yesterday (subs 22 April) are a totally unnecessary tragedy particularly because the infants were not restrained at the time, says Plunket's national safety adviser, Sue Campbell.

"All children must be restrained in car seats when travelling in a motor vehicle. I despair of saying this when these families will be feeling such pain, but Plunket is determined not give up on this.

"Whether you are travelling just a few minutes to the corner shop or on a much longer highway journey, all passengers in a motor vehicle must be restrained, and this includes infants, toddlers and young children.

"There is no way an adult can hold a child in their lap and expect the child to survive unscathed in a crash. The reality is that child becomes a human cannon-ball.

"It is unnecessary carnage of young lives and must stop," she said.

Child seats for children of all ages can be hired for a minimal fee from Plunket car seat rental schemes in virtually every town and city of New Zealand. There are also car seat hire programmes operated by other providers.

"The 'it won't happen to me' and 'it's only a short trip, it's not worth it' statements have to stop. Children are worth it, they have a right to expect that adults will accept responsibility for buckling them up and keeping them safe," says Sue Campbell.

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