Te Puke children at risk in cars

A recent survey of child restraints in Te Puke vehicles shows drivers are not getting the message about keeping children safe.

As part of Project KiddiKlic the Bay of Plenty’s joint road safety committee, in association with NZ Police and Plunket, stopped 69 vehicles over a three hour period in early June. Of the 94 car seats checked, only 24 children were correctly restrained. Four children were found to be completely unrestrained.

The results confirm concerns raised in the NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) Communities at risk register developed to identify high priority topics for joint NZTA/council road safety campaigns. The register ranks communities by local council on 13 areas affecting road safety. In the register, the Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty Councils cluster ranks worst in the country for the unrestrained rear seat vehicle occupants at 25%.

The Te Puke survey showed 74% of children unrestrained or not restrained properly.

• Maureen Burgess, chairperson of the joint road safety committee says the main faults found were: seats were out of date/expired seats loose straps loose and/or twisted tether straps not attached tether bolt not used seats were unsuitable for the age of the child seats were in the wrong position in the vehicle seatbelts positioned incorrectly children’s arms were out of harness children were found in the front seat.

Children two years and younger must travel in the back seat in rear-facing car seat. They should travel in a booster seat until they’re 148cms tall or 9 years old and should travel in the back seat until they’re 12 years old.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s mayor, Ross Paterson says drivers must take responsibility to keep their young passengers safe.

“Not using a restraint properly is almost as bad as not using one at all. I urge drivers to do the right thing to keep our young people safe,” says Mayor Paterson.

Mayor Stuart Crosby of Tauranga City Council says, “As our region’s traffic volumes increase we need to be more vigilant about making safe choices in all aspects of our travel.”

Safe2Go is a joint NZTA/ACC initiative working to improve the use and installation of child restraints. Information about installing car restraints properly and a list of local Safe2Go technicians can be found at safe2go.co.nz

As part of the government’s Safer Journeys/Safe System approach, drivers have the responsibility to make safe choices. The four pillars of the system are; safe users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, and safe roads and roadsides.

The checkpoints will continue throughout the region as part of Project KiddiKlic.

ENDS

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