[Mummy2RyanandAle...]

Hi, im pretty sure in November in Tassie they are changing all the car seat laws.
In a car seat til the age of 4, then in a booster with a harness til the age of 7.
I think it is a great idea . My 2 are already in the right seating. BUT
what happens to people with older children that have sold all of their seats, or children that will be 4 or 7 a few months after the new law comes in.Do they have to go and purchase new seats and harnesses?

sorry if this has been asked before and i do agree totally with the new laws.
Thanks
Jodie

[kat11]

Do they have to go and purchase new seats and harnesses?

We have only just bought a booster seat and I will NOT be buying a new one in November.

Kath

[Guest_tashmlgn_*]

I think if the child is seriously on the verge of being too big for the seat anyway, eg say a 3yr 9mth old who is very near the weight/height limit for a baby seat or a 6yr 9mth old who is very near the weight/height limit for a booster, then you would be able to go to a booster or adult seat under the exception for children who outgrow seats before the age limit. Even if they haven't outgrown it but are on the verge of outgrowing it so would be too much to expect parents to buy a seat for a few months, I think you would be able to get away with that. (If that makes sense.)

But if a child is 3yrs 9mths, or 6yrs 9mths & still would have plenty of room to grow in a baby seat/booster seat then yes I imagine they would have to buy the correct seat because the child does not have to by law(& should not) be moved to the booster/adult seat belt just because they turn 4/7 anyway.

I don't know how that situation would actually be handled officially but JMO.

[lsolaBella]

Here is a good guide from Kidsafe VIC

http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/images/storie..._restraints.pdf

YOU DO NOT NEED an 'add on' Harness for 4-7yo in booster seats.... Kidsafe actually now recommend AGAINST this (unless you only have a lap belt in the middle position which you are using the booster with).

[Phascogale]

In a car seat til the age of 4, then in a booster with a harness til the age of 7.

You don't need the harness. At least not in Vic.

From the VicRoads website

Children aged between four years and under seven must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

There's nothing here about mandatory H harnesses.

Unless the harness is properly fitted (and most aren't) and they are used with an anti submarine clip, they can be much more dangerous and cause worse/more injuries than a booster and adult car seat only.

But like PP said, if your child has outgrown the required seat for their age then there are provisions in the rules for that.

It's going to be hard to police. Are police going to have scales with them when you say your 5 year old weighs over the 26kg limit of boosters?