[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Trust parents on child seat safety, say Greens

[Parnell]

Media Release
Monday 24th May 2010

Trust parents on child seat safety, say Greens


Greens MLC Mark Parnell has called for greater flexibility in new laws that are set to hit drivers with big fines if children are not seated in a booster seat up to the age of 7.

"The Greens strongly support clearer safety rules for children up to the age of 5, however once kids are in school some flexibility and common sense needs to be shown," said Greens MLC and father of 3 Mark Parnell.

"If we are serious about our kid's safety then our goal should be fewer cars on our roads, not more. Yet these new laws will mean more traffic, in bigger cars, especially around already crowded school zones, as parents without spare booster seats stop offering rides.

"The vast majority of parents want to make sure their kids are as safe as possible, but there are always going to be times when last minute arrangements mean you are caught short.  There needs to be some leeway for those parents who try to do the right thing.

"Soccer Mums and Netball Dads should be able to give their child's team-mates a lift home without risking a huge fine," he said.

The new laws are also inconsistent, with taxi drivers exempt:  "According to the new laws, a taxi driver can pick up your 6 year old after school without a booster seat, but if your neighbour does the same thing they'll cop a major fine," he said.

Along with school buses:  "Why is the Government insisting on extra safety restraints in parents' cars, when they haven't even sorted out basic seat belts for kids on school buses?

"Sharing lifts to and from school and sport is a vital way to bring friends and neighbours together.  It would be devastating if these new laws stop parents being able to help each other out," he said.

What the Greens are calling for:

*         The same treatment for non-primary care givers (eg grandparents, neighbours and friends) as taxi drivers when transporting school age kids.

*         Subsidised hire of spare booster seats to encourage ride-sharing.

*         A carrot, rather than a stick: a major ad campaign promoting and informing parents on the importance of using the right child restraint, rather than inflexible fines and demerit points for drivers.





For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893




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