THE HIGH IMPACT OF SPEED IN CAR CRASHES

Peggie Mars / 01/08/2024

THE HIGH IMPACT OF SPEED IN CAR CRASHES

THE HIGH IMPACT OF SPEED IN CAR CRASHES
“Speed kills”, as the many Arrive Alive signs along the highway remind us. And yet many drivers still do, often justifying their reasons for doing so. Yet the impact speed can have in car crashes is huge.
Many people think that speeding will help them reach their destination faster. However, the time saved is often minimal compared to the safety risks involved. While drivers are responsible for their actions, we also need to think about how roads are designed, city planning decisions, and the rules about speeding.
In this article, we will be referring to the “Guide for Safe Roads” study released by the World Bank Group. They have proposed a Roads-For-Life framework that prioritises the safety of the most vulnerable road users.

DO FAST SPEEDS MEAN FASTER TRAVEL TIME?
There are many reasons why people speed – none of them justified. People think that driving faster will allow them to reach their destination sooner. This may only be true in specific scenarios, but in reality, speeding will likely only delay your travel time.
By increasing speed by “just” 1 km/h, the risk for injury is increased by 3%, while risk of death rises to 4-5%. And 1 km/h seems like an amount that sounds almost trivial. As speed increases, the chance of a crash exponentially rises. When a crash happens in traffic, it causes congestion, which slows down traffic and increases travel time for everyone.
Another aspect to consider is that roads are designed with the number of vehicles and the speed of the road in mind. By exceeding the speed limit determined for that part of the road will result in a bottleneck in traffic. During peak times this brings the flow of traffic to a glacial crawl. Sometimes completely halting it altogether.
Speeding also makes roads a more hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists. As they are more vulnerable road users, it puts them at greater risk of injury or death. The result is a heavier reliance on vehicles as a mode of transport, adding more vehicles to the flow of traffic.
Speeding is selfishly motivated, while road safety actions are for the good of the community. By rushing to get to work on time, drivers are ignoring the greater good. This impacts all users on the road and contributes to slowing everyone down, often including themselves. Better self-planning goes a long way to ensuring the safety of everyone and ourselves.

HOW SPEED INFLUENCES THE OUTCOME OF A CAR CRASH
When we see someone speeding down the highway in a sports car, we often shake our heads at their irresponsible behaviour. But, when we get a speeding ticket for going just 5 km/h over the limit, we might feel frustrated and think it’s unfair. But any amount of speeding can have serious consequences.
The faster we drive, the less time we have to understand what’s happening around us. This reduces our ability to make good decisions and react safely, especially when time is short. As speed increases, our field of vision narrows, making it hard to see anything but the road right in front of us. A good driver knows that being aware of everything around the car is crucial for safety, and this awareness decreases as we speed up.
At higher speeds, the distance needed to stop a vehicle increases. For example, a car travelling at 30 km/h requires only 14 metres to stop, while at 65 km/h, it needs 44 metres. This means that drivers going faster have less time and space to react and avoid a collision.
The speed of a vehicle greatly affects the risk of injury or death when it hits a pedestrian. For instance, if a car hits a pedestrian at 30 km/h, there’s a 13% chance of serious injury or death. But, if the car is going 60 km/h, that chance jumps to 73%.
For passengers in a vehicle, the force of a collision is much greater at higher speeds, which greatly reduces their chance of survival.
Modern technology in cars can make drivers feel safer and more in control. Yet, this can create a false sense of security, leading some to believe that speeding is now safer. In reality, technology doesn’t prevent human error or improve our judgement in a crash. While drivers might feel more secure, it doesn’t reduce the higher risk of collisions for pedestrians and other road users caused by speeding.

ROADS-FOR-LIFE FRAMEWORK
When setting speed limits, decision-makers usually focus on the needs of motor vehicles. These decisions often aim to improve traffic flow and efficiency for vehicles. This often means that the safety of other road users, like pedestrians and cyclists, becomes a lower priority.
Speed limits are also often based around the “85th percentile” method. This bases speed limits on a desired speed that 85% of motorists will observe. However, the “desired speed” of an individual driver is often subjective. It does not take into account all the benefits of driving at a lower speed. This means that even speeds that most people consider appropriate, are higher than what could be considered objectively safe.
The Roads-For-Life framework proposes that to minimise the impact of speeding and make the roads safer for everyone, we must prioritise the safety of everyone using the road. Especially the most vulnerable road users such as the elderly, children and women.
To determine the survivable impact speed of a road it considers the following factors:
● The characteristics of a road, including the surrounding activities and the use of the road
● The space required for users in specific cases such as around schools, hospitals or high pedestrian areas
● The type of road users and traffic
● Infrastructure quality and design

SAFE SPEED LIMITS FOR DIFFERENT ROAD TYPES
The Road-For-Life framework categorises road sections into 4 main types.
● Shared Roads: These are roads used by both vehicles and pedestrians, such as those in housing complexes, school properties, retirement villages, and gated communities. Because these roads have many vulnerable users, like pedestrians, their safety should be a top priority. The maximum safe speed limit for shared roads should be 10 km/h.
● Urban Human Activity Roads/City Hubs: These are roads in cities and towns where people live, work, and socialise. They have a high number of pedestrians moving around, such as roads near schools, residential neighbourhoods, transport hubs like bus stations, and areas with shops, markets, bars, and cafes. The suggested safe speed limit for these areas is 30 km/h. If higher speeds are needed, there should be separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists to ensure their safety.
● Urban Main Roads: roads that connect cities and towns to the greater transport network. These support the higher demand for moving goods and people. The suggested safe speed for these roads is 30-50 km/h. The higher speed of 50 km/h is only recommended if there are good pavements and fewer pedestrian crossings, ensuring that vulnerable road users are kept separate from traffic.
● Urban Link Roads: This includes roads such as highways which connect different districts and are primarily for the movement of goods and people. These roads feature no pedestrians and cyclists. They also alleviate the need for traffic to move through other road types where there are a higher number of vulnerable road users. The safe maximum speed for Urban Link roads should be set to 60-70 km/h. If pedestrians and cyclists are explicitly prohibited from using a section of this road type, the maximum speed could be increased to 80 km/h.

ROADS DESIGNED WITH SAFETY AS A PRIORITY
In addition to the Roads-For-Life framework, other studies such as Cities Safer by Design and WHO’s Sustainable Cities (a study we have previously referenced) also suggest that road safety should be a key part of road design.
Cities Safer By Design recommends the following design elements:
● Urban design that includes smaller block sizes, frequent street connections, narrower streets, and access to destinations in compact urban environments that alleviate the need for vehicle travel;
● Traffic calming measures such as speed humps, chicanes, curb extensions, raised pedestrian crossings and other elements;
● Arterials and intersections that reduce conflicts between road users by providing clear crossings, medians and refuge islands;
● Pedestrian facilities ranging from pedestrian-only areas to basic, consistent sidewalks;
● Bicycling networks that feature protected bicycle lanes and special attention to design at intersections; and
● Safety improvements around mass transport stations and corridors.

While all these proposed changes would be nice in a perfect world, it could take years, possibly decades, for them to become the standard, especially in low- to middle-income countries. Until then, we can only hope that personal responsibility and legislation improves to protect the lives of all road users.

THE COST OF SPEEDING
As mentioned, speeding is usually a self-motivated choice that affects more than just the driver. The costs of speeding are significant and cannot be ignored.
There is a sentiment that lowering the speed of traffic could hurt the economy. But, in 2023 it was reported that car crashes have cost South Africa R1-trillion in the past 7 years. Since speeding is a major cause of crashes, reducing speeding could actually benefit the economy by reducing the number of accidents.
On a more personal level, the cost to the individual is also increased by speeding. Driving at higher speeds increases fuel consumption as well as the need for more frequent maintenance and replacement of tyres.
In the event of a crash, insurance companies may reject a claim if they feel that reasonable precaution while driving was not observed. If you have received multiple fines for speeding, the rejection of a claim for a crash may become more likely if your driving record indicates a pattern of reckless behaviour.
Along with increased fuel consumption comes the ecological and health costs as well. Driving at high speeds increases CO2 emissions from vehicles. Also, roads designed mainly for vehicles can be less friendly to other road users. This often leads to more vehicles on the road, which in turn increases CO2 emissions.
Lower speeds and safer roads lead to cleaner air, healthier lifestyles by encouraging walking and cycling, and more vibrant, liveable communities.
Besides these benefits, the greatest cost of speeding is the loss of lives. Road-related incidents are a major cause of death among young people and children, with speeding being a significant factor.
Speeding has a huge impact on road safety and the costs associated with it are high. It is important that we change our attitudes about speeding as well as building road safety into the world around us. The lives of the most vulnerable people in our communities depend on it.

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Award Winning Stories on Surviving School Transport.

Peggie Mars / 23/07/2024

Award Winning Stories on Surviving School Transport

lsu Elihle Awards Winner 2018 awarded by Media Monitoring Africa to Jamaine Krige who did a series of stories on surviving school transport.

“To give an idea of how powerful these things are. In the first episode we hear the stories of eight young people and their dreams of what they would like to become. It emerges as the story goes on that these are the numbers of children that die on our roads every single day. Its talking about school transport,” adds William Bird, Media Monitoring Africa.

LISTEN BELOW TO KRIGE’s SERIES:

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IS SCHOOL TRANSPORT KILLING OUR CHILDREN?

Peggie Mars / 24/06/2024

IS SCHOOL TRANSPORT KILLING OUR CHILDREN?

Youth Month is an appropriate time to reflect on the way South Africa works to keep its children safe. History should always teach us to do better, especially regarding our children. When it comes to education, many barriers exist for many children in South Africa. Unfortunately, safety and school transport are among them.

To ensure the safety of child passengers, Wheel Well is focused on road safety for children. But, the regulations surrounding school transport in South Africa are unclear. This makes it challenging to guarantee the safety of school children. We need to discuss these regulations and address the existing gaps.

CHILD SAFETY ON SOUTH AFRICAN ROADS

According to Child Gauge 2019, a publication released by the University of Cape Town, South Africa has a high rate of child injury deaths. In high-income countries, the global annual child-injury mortality rate is 8.6 per 100,00. By comparison, in South Africa, the rate is 38.9 per 100,000 for children 19 years and younger. Of these, 36% are the result of road traffic injuries. That means that it is the leading cause of child mortality in South Africa. Children aged 6-12 years are particularly vulnerable on our roads, as passengers and pedestrians.

The publication found that 68% of South African learners walk to school and that one in five pedestrian deaths are children under the age of 15 years.

THE BLACKHEATH TRAIN CRASH

An historical tragedy that should be a call for change, occurred in 2010 when the Blackheath train incident shook the nation. A minibus carrying school children cut in front of other vehicles and drove in front of a train. Ten children were killed in this horrific crash which scarred the community. The driver was found guilty of 10 counts of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, his sentence was reduced to 8 years. While the driver may have been held accountable to some extent, this was a preventable tragedy. The lives of ten families and their communities remain irreparably changed.

A proposed bridge was planned to improve the safety of this crossing following the deaths of these children. Unfortunately, the bridge failed to materialise. In 2018, another crash involving a bakkie driving in front of a train killed 5 people. Two crashes at the same crossing show an attitude of apathy when it comes to changes for road safety.

In tragedies like these, the reason of “human error” falls flat, however, if we view the circumstances that allow for this excuse to surface, the question arises “How do we prevent this?”.

REGULATION 231

Before we look at the factors that would improve the safety of school children on our roads, we need to talk about Regulation 231 of the National Traffic Act, 1996. It states:

Manner in which children to be counted for purposes of regulations

1) For the purposes of establishing the number of persons that may in terms of these regulations,

other than regulation 263, be carried on any vehicle, other than a motorcycle, motor tricycle,

motor quadricycle or pedal cycle –

a) any child under the age of three years shall not be counted;
b) two children of three years or over but under the age of six years shall be counted as one

person; and

c) three children of six years or over but under the age of 13 years shall be counted as two persons:

Provided that in applying the provisions of this regulation, fractions shall be disregarded.

When loading a vehicle, the total mass of passengers is considered. This logic determines that because children are smaller than adults, 2-3 children (depending on age group) makeup one adult when counting the allowed number of passengers for that vehicle.

Child safety becomes a concern when following this logic. Counting many children as single people ignores the fact that most vehicles do not safely cater for this. For example, this means that there are not enough restraints in a vehicle to cater to every child.

Overloaded vehicles already pose a huge safety risk for all its occupants. This issue is compounded when children are not counted as a single person but rather several. Cape Talk spoke to the father of a 7-year-old boy, Liyabonga Mbaba, who had died by decapitation in a crash involving an overloaded taxi. The harrowing interview can be heard here, although we would like to add a trigger warning for the graphic description of the crash.

THE NEED FOR SAFE SCHOOL TRANSPORT

There is a great need for safe and reliable school transport for children in South Africa. With the majority of children having to walk to school, they are already vulnerable to many risks. A great number also rely on public transport to receive their education. Without standardised and enforced school transport regulations, children who rely on these services are at the highest risk of injury and death.

The Department of Transportation has attempted to address this problem in their National Learner Transport 2015, which was revised in March 2023. Yet, while this policy addresses some of the challenges of school transport, there is not enough being done. Underfunding is one of their stated reasons for this.

As a nation, this should be a priority for ourselves as taxpayers. We are stakeholders in the future of our children, especially regarding their education and safety. Children should not have to risk dying to receive their education.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED

Several factors need to be improved. Firstly, Regulation 231 needs to be updated to count every child in a vehicle, regardless of age, as one person. This would aid in catering to the safety requirements of every person in a vehicle.

Every school district should have a subsidised school transport program that caters to the safety of children. This is especially necessary for schools that have a high number of children who walk to school.

Vehicles utilised should have child safety in mind. In the United States of America, the yellow school bus is a widely recognised vehicle, even throughout the rest of the world. Transporting 26 million children each year, school buses are the largest mode of public transport in the US. With their high visibility, large size, lower centre of gravity and strong rules for navigating the roads around them, fatal crashes involving school buses are incredibly rare. We know it may be unrealistic to compare the experiences of high- and low-income countries. However, this shows that the use of vehicles designed to carry children can reduce the risk of child fatalities. We also need clearer regulations on what determines a vehicle fit for carrying school children.

When we send our children to school, we entrust their safety to other adults. Any person tasked with transporting children must have specific permits and training to do so. Training should centre around the care of children. First-aid certification should also be mandatory. Drivers should also be vetted to ensure that they have no prior record of harm against children.

Safe school transport can play a huge role in ensuring that fewer children die from preventable road fatalities. However, those with the power to enact changes that would save children from the largest cause of death in our country, do not seem rushed to do so. Especially considering the severity of this problem. Having a standardised and enforced national school transport policy will help in the assignment of roles and accountability for school transport. It will also set safety standards to which all parties must comply with.

Parents can also appeal to their school governing board, headmaster and local metro police. These different entities must work together to ensure learners’ safety to and from school.

For child pedestrians, schools can organise a Walking Bus program. This involves community volunteers walking children in a group to and from school. This helps to ensure they are safe and more visible to road users.

Let’s put the pressure on the Departments of Education and Transport, as well as our schools so that history does not keep repeating itself with more preventable deaths of our kids.

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HALO BEANIES: A VISIBILITY CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD PEDESTRIANS

Peggie Mars / 04/04/2024

HALO BEANIES: A VISIBILITY CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD PEDESTRIANS

Have you heard about our Halo Beanies campaign aimed at child pedestrian safety?

In 2020, 1765 child pedestrians lost their lives on our roads. For Wheel Well, this was a call to action to try and keep our young pedestrians safe. From this, our Halo Beanie project was born. We named them Halo Beanies due to the strip of high visibility reflective yarn stitched around the beanie. This helps make children more visible to drivers on the road.

Halo Beanies is a visibility campaign for child pedestrians because “children should be seen, not hurt”.

CHILD PEDESTRIANS AT RISK

South Africa has a large population of low-income families, while many struggle against a high and growing unemployment rate. The barrier to entry to school is already high for children from these families. For many, reliable and safe transport is a “luxury” many cannot afford. This leaves many young pupils having to walk to school – for some, a journey that can take as long as two hours or more! An article from the Associated Press highlights the harrowing dangers children face daily while taking the long walk to school. Rural and poorer regions experience these dangers more frequently where little to no services exist to help families.

In addition to the socio-economic factors at play, child pedestrians are also vulnerable for other reasons. By their nature, children tend to be unpredictable. They have a less developed sense of awareness for the world around them. Children are also less capable of making correct judgements on the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles.

Another aspect to consider is that compared to the size of a vehicle, a child is very small. Younger children are shorter than the height of the front of a vehicle or the windows, which means that they are far less visible to drivers. This problem is further exacerbated by low light or adverse weather conditions. Along with their lack of awareness and unpredictable behaviour, a driver may not notice a child, putting them at huge risk of getting run over by a car.

A 2020 technical guide released by UNICEF on Child & Adolescent Road Safety states that “increasing the visibility of children using the road is demonstrated to be promising in reducing pedestrian injuries”.

Our Halo Beanies make child pedestrians more visible to drivers so that they can navigate around them more safely.

HOW DOES OUR HALO BEANIE CAMPAIGN WORK?

The Halo Beanie campaign relies on our community to take part in this project. Not only do sponsorships fund this campaign but we also need knitters and crocheters to donate their time and skills.

Sponsorship and funding allow us to create “Beanie Packs”. Each pack contains reflective yarn, wool in various colours, crochet hooks, knitting needles, patterns, instructions, and leaflets on the benefits of reflective gear. We then distribute these to Rotary Clubs and knitting clubs around the country. From each beanie pack, clubs can create at least 100 beanies. Once complete, beanies are then handed out at schools to children at no cost to them.

Wheel Well oversees the logistics of distributing the materials to various clubs, listening to their feedback and ensuring the beanies make their way onto the heads of those who need them most.

We opted to create beanies for this project as they are cost-effective and less likely to be taken off by children while playing. They are also easily stored in a school bag without taking up space. Additionally, kids enjoy the bright colours. Beanies also keep them a little warmer in the winter months when the days are shorter with longer periods of darkness and low visibility, giving kids extra motivation to wear them.

HELP US BRIGHTEN A CHILD’S LIFE!

This year kicked off with some fantastic donations from Suzuki, Dooya and The Rotary Satellite Club of Sandton. They have collectively sponsored 2000 beanies in the form of Beanie Packs. A huge thank you to them for investing in the safety of our child pedestrians!

If you or your business would like to sponsor a Beanie Pack, get in touch with us. Each beanie pack (100 beanies) with all materials requires a sponsorship of R2700. For companies, consider allocating your annual Corporate Social Investment (CSI) spend towards this project to help us make a difference – more information on that here.

Wheel Well is also in need of knitters and crocheters to help create our Halo Beanies. If you belong to a knitting or crafting group, please consider donating your time and make this your group’s next project. On average, a beanie takes about 2 hours to knit – likely faster if you are a master of your knitting needles.

Winter is drawing near and so many children would enjoy the warmth and safety of a Halo Beanie! Our beanie packs contain everything you need to create 100 beanies with no extra materials required.

Child safety is a community effort and never more true than in our Halo Beanie campaign. It takes a village to raise a child (and keep them safe), so we hope you will join our “village” of road safety for children. Help us make child pedestrians safer on our dangerous roads and remove one of the many barriers children face in getting an education in South Africa.

For more information on this campaign and to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact Wheel Well.

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CHILD CAR SEAT SAFETY MYTHS: A REALITY CHECK

Peggie Mars / 15/02/2024

CHILD CAR SEAT SAFETY MYTHS: A REALITY CHECK

Have you ever noticed how much misinformation there is when looking for advice on car seats?

In the “internet age”, we have more access to information than at any other point in history. Computers and smartphones have made knowledge accessible to us. And it’s right at our fingertips. But fast access to information also brings a lot of misinformation.

Today “doing your research” seems to mean watching the first video you find on social media. There is a problem where many peoples’ idea of “research” is finding information that agrees with their ideas. Even if it doesn’t hold any merit.

Some social media influencers spread wrong information to large audiences. Social media groups can become echo chambers of misinformation. Repetition reinforces misinformation in a closed group. Eventually, it becomes regarded as truth by its members. Some writers create content for clicks and money, rather than educational value.

When it comes to the safety of our children, it has become necessary to take information with a pinch of salt. Not to mention, a whole heap of critical thinking.

THE FIGHT FOR TRUE INFORMATION

Parents who want to become informed about car seat safety will find a ton of contradicting information. It is hard to find unbiased, straightforward information. People manipulate the facts to make parents think that one car seat is better than another. Or what’s worse – some also do it to feel superior as parents.

We wanted to reference a fantastic study about different child restraint systems. Unfortunately, we were unable to cite it for this article. The researchers had to embargo the study because the public misunderstood the findings. Misrepresentation of the facts has led to the loss of public access to this valuable study.
It is also very common for articles to claim “studies have shown” without actually linking any studies. This immediately calls into question the validity of their claims.

We are an NPO with over 12 years of experience and knowledge in the car seat safety field. Even with our knowledge, it was difficult to find reliable sources for this article. The challenge faced by parents hoping to make the safest choices for their children must be unimaginable.
When giving our points here, we are drawing from unbiased sources. Where information is inconclusive, we will draw conclusions based on our years of working with road safety for children. We will also consider some points within the context of accessibility and constraints of South Africa as a developing country.

DO CAR SEATS EXPIRE?

This is a debated topic. But the validity of whether car seats expire has a complicated answer. It is not comparable to, say, the expiration of organic material such as food items, for example. There are steps one can take to extend the life of their car seat, but it is worth knowing what could cause your car seat to age faster.

US manufacturers of car seats often refer to the “expiration date” of car seats, a term that may be misunderstood by the general public.
European and South African standards refer to a “recommended lifespan”. Part of this is that after a certain period, manufacturers will no longer be liable for the safety of their seats. They are also motivated to sell you their latest seat.

Materials used in car seats will deteriorate over time. This includes foam inners, metal and fabric. The rate of deterioration depends on factors like sun exposure, crash history, storage conditions, usage, and improper use.

Manufacturers recommend that car seats be used for 5-10 years. This time frame may vary depending on the brand, so check your manual. If you’re not sure if your older car seat is safe, have a car seat professional check it for you. They can tell you if it’s still safe to use.

IS IT SAFE TO USE A SECOND-HAND CAR SEAT?

Leading in from the previous point: should you use a second-hand car seat? Car seats are expensive and not all families are in the position to buy a brand new seat for their child. Also, remember that you will need to buy several car seats as your child grows.

New car seats are always safer. But, this doesn’t mean that second-hand car seats are unsafe. Families with lower incomes can buy used car seats to keep their kids safe. Especially if they feel the only other choice is to have no car seat – which is not safe at all.

When buying a second-hand car seat, it is important to know how old it is and whether it has been in a crash. Check the plastic, fabric covers and harnesses for damage or wear. When buying a second-hand car seat, make sure that it still has its manual.

Wheel Well knows that families have different financial limits. We provide second-hand car seats that are clean and safe for use before going to their new family. We also host car seat hand-out events where we provide second-hand car seats for any donation a family can afford. Our priority is to give as many children as we can a safer journey. If you are looking for a second-hand car seat or have one to donate to another family, get in touch with us!

IS IT SAFER TO REAR-FACE YOUR CAR SEAT BEYOND 15 MONTHS OF AGE?

The topic of rear-facing car seats seems to be a divisive discussion online, with MANY strong opinions behind it. But what are the facts?

First, a rear-facing car seat is a must up until the age of 15 months. The reason for this has to do with the development of infant bodies and how they move with the momentum of a crash. Infants and toddlers have much larger heads compared to their bodies than older children and adults. Their heads can account for up to 20% of their total body weight. In a frontal impact collision, the weight and size of their head can throw them forward with great force. Their necks are not as strong as adults’ to withstand this force with little or no support. In a forward-facing seat, this creates immense force on the neck and spine. A rear-facing car seat spreads impact across the body instead of concentrating it on weaker body parts.

But are rear-facing car seats the safer option after 15 months when a child’s body reaches its next developmental stage? Often referenced in this debate is the “Swedish Accident Report”. This study looked at accident reports about child restraint systems and injuries to different parts of the body. The goal of the study was to gather data to improve child restraint systems and how they are used. We have often seen it used as a source to state that one restraint system is better than another. This is often referenced without some important context.
The study observes that child restraint systems in general hugely reduce the chance of injury or fatality in a crash. It also found that misuse or incorrect installation of restraints contributed to a higher risk of injuries.
Data suggests that there is a higher risk of injury to children when they are moved to the next car seat for their developmental stage. This is due to parents using the lower bound requirements for that stage of car seat. We, and many others, do caution parents not to rush when moving their child to their next stage of car seat. It is advisable to keep them in their current car seat as long as possible until they outgrow it.

The Swedish Accident Report suggests that extended rear-facing seats may slightly reduce injury in a crash. But, it provides little information about the car seats used in these crashes. To offer a different source on the topic, we refer to the “National Best Practice Guideline – Safety for Children in Motor Vehicles”. Developed by KidSafe & Neuroscience Research Australia, on extended rear-facing restraints, it states:

“There is currently no evidence to support a recommendation to either encourage or discourage the use of these restraints compared to properly used forward facing child restraints who have outgrown a Type A2 rear facing restraint” (Type A2 is an infant seat in Australia)

What is our take on this topic? We often see parents pressured into using extended rear-facing car seats. A black-and-white impression is given that extended rear-facing is so much safer that by comparison, forward-facing car seats are unsafe. This is simply not the reality. If any difference exists, it is likely marginal at best. There just is not enough conclusive evidence on the matter.

An important thing to consider is that rear-facing car seats are far more expensive. They also need much more space in a car to safely install them. The average family in South Africa cannot meet these two factors. We have a high percentage of low- to middle-income families. This creates a lot of pressure on families to buy a car seat that is much more expensive than necessary. Especially considering it might not even provide significant extra safety. We always maintain that the safest car seat is the best one you can afford.
The most expensive option is not, by default, the safest. No parents should feel as if they are jeopardising the safety of their child by not providing the most pricey car seat. Especially not when other options do exist.

ARE 5-POINT HARNESSES SAFER FOR OLDER CHILDREN?

There is a debate about whether a 5-point harness in a forward-facing seat is safer than a 3-point seat belt on a booster seat for children over 18kg. Again, this one has a non-conclusive answer – both have their positive and negative points.

● A 5-point harness could be safer, but it is much harder to correctly install and thus carries a high risk if misused.
● A 3-point seatbelt is easy to install. Yet, a restless child may not stay in the correct position.
● 5-point harnesses have a weight and height limit, whereas 3-point seatbelts do not – the latter may be preferable if you have a child who is tall for their age.
● 5-point harnesses can hold a child more securely in place. Yet, in a front impact crash, this can create immense force on their necks when their heads are flung forward. A 3-point seat belt lets the spine, neck, and head move together, reducing the risk of whiplash or worse.

The best advice from us? Whether you use extended harnessing or a seatbelt and booster seat, make sure that it is used correctly and caters to your child’s needs. The same is true for any child restraint system. Incorrect use is more dangerous in crashes than the type of harness system or seat you choose to use.

SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR CAR SEAT COVER & HARNESS?

Cars tend to carry a lot of bacteria. A study partnered with Aston University (UK) found that there can be twice as much bacteria, including E. coli, in cars compared to a toilet seat.

Some people believe that car seats should not be deep cleaned. There is a worry that it could make a car seat less fire-resistant. Some feel that washing causes straps and harnesses to stretch and no longer keep a child secure.

On fire retardant (which is only regulated for infant seats), washing could impair this. But it is worth noting that cars and their engines are now made in a way that reduces the risk of fire. In a fire, the fire retardant in your car seat will do little to stop your child or their car seat from being burned.

Car seat harnesses are made from synthetic materials, usually nylon. Washing will not affect them or cause them to stretch.

Car seat manuals do include washing instructions. Whether your car seat is best cleaned by hand or is safe for machine washing will be in the manual. For detergent, we use Triple Orange to clean our second-hand seats before they go to their new families. It is a product able to clean the cover, body, harness straps and buckle of a car seat. It works as a degreaser, and is antibacterial, while also being non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

A bigger concern when washing a car seat is if parents can reassemble it correctly. Incorrect car seat assembly does pose a great risk to your child in a crash. We have seen this occur on many occasions. We recommend parents take videos or photos of their car seat as they remove parts for washing. This will allow you to have a reference to work with when putting it back together. Should you have any uncertainty, bring your car seat to our showroom. We will show you how to put everything back as it should be.

Aspects of car seat safety can be a dividing topic. Even some of these answers are not conclusive one way or the other. New studies are published every year. They help us learn more about car crashes and how to better survive them. Parents should follow safety regulations and stick to safe-use guidelines set by manufacturers. It is important to also be mindful of road safety practices. When it comes to online information about the safety of kids, always check several sources. Be willing to learn, but always be critical too.

If you would like to talk to us about anything discussed in this article or need car seat advice, never hesitate to reach out to us.

CHILD CAR SEAT SAFETY MYTHS: A REALITY CHECK Read More »

BACK TO SCHOOL 2024: ROAD SAFETY FOR OUR CHILDREN

Peggie Mars / 10/01/2024

BACK TO SCHOOL 2024: ROAD SAFETY FOR OUR CHILDREN

As the holidays draw to a close, our children are heading back to school. Whether you have young or older children, it is a time of excitement, trepidation, enthusiasm and, for some, despair at the end of the long holidays – feelings often shared by parents too. One hope for our children we all have as they start the school year is that they will be safe.

Alongside ABCs & 123s, teaching your children road safety is as important. It is important that we, as adults, uphold road safety standards to make the road safe for all users, especially our children.

DRIVING SAFELY AROUND SCHOOL ZONES

Areas around schools will often become congested during drop-off and pick-up times. If you are not dropping children off at school, consider changing your route to minimise the impact on traffic.
If you are dropping off children, or your commute takes you through a school zone during peak times, here are some things to keep in mind:

● Do not drive more than 30km/h. Even if there is no signage indicating the speed limit, 30km/h should be your default speed when driving in a school zone. Children have impulsive and unpredictable behaviour. They may not have developed a good sense of road awareness. Slowing your driving allows you time to react should a child step in front of your vehicle.

● Do not use your mobile phone or play loud music while passing a school. Keep distractions few and awareness high.

● Children, especially the younger ones, are not easily visible due to their height. Primary school children are sometimes no taller than the bonnet of a car and thus are at risk of drivers not seeing them. Always take extra care to note the areas around your car when driving in a school zone. Be on the lookout for children walking or cycling to school, as well as crossing the road.

● If you encounter a crossing guard (aka “lollipop man/woman”) or scholar patrol, obey their signals and stop to let children cross the road. Be patient and avoid becoming frustrated. Hooting your vehicle may startle children which may cause them to step into traffic.

● During the first week of school, remember many young children are starting “Big School”. Parents might take longer to say goodbye to their children, who may be anxious and doubtful. Have patience with them – this is a big step into the next stage of life for many children (and their parents).

SAFETY FOR CHILDREN GETTING TO SCHOOL BY CAR

If you are dropping your kids off at school yourself, it is a good opportunity to reinforce some important road safety rules.

● Always buckle up! This is rule number one. This rule applies to the driver as well as the child passengers. Children learn by example. It is our role as parents and caregivers to be a good example for them. Make use of seatbelts, car seats and harnesses on every journey, no matter how short or familiar the route.

● Car seats are mandatory up until the age of 3. Beyond this, car seats are the safest option for your child in a vehicle up until your child reaches age 10. Seat belts are designed around adult bodies and sizes, therefore a car seat is that much better at restraining a child. Your child’s car seat must be suitable for their age, height, weight and developmental stage. You can find more information on which is the right car seat for your child here.

● A factor you may have to contend with is your child becoming embarrassed about using a car seat. Unfortunately, we have little control over the safety standards set by other parents. Starting school leads to some children wanting to set themselves apart from “babies” and prove they are “big” now. This results in the rejection of anything that they perceive as being “for babies”. There may be teasing of children who are still making use of those things – car seats included.
We have spoken in the past about how to engage your child in learning how to be safe in a vehicle and on the road, including why it is important to use a car seat. If they are beginning to feel a sense of shame associated with their car seat, a better approach for older children is to teach them that “big kids make responsible choices”. This will give them a sense of empowerment in that they are not using a car seat because they are a “little kid”, but because it is the responsible and safe thing to do. And big kids do responsible things, even if they don’t like it and even if their friends do otherwise.

● Carpooling is a good way to lessen congested traffic in school zones. It is important to discuss with all parents involved the safety standards to maintain in their vehicles. Everyone should be on the same page. Each child should at the very least have access to a seat belt. A Secure-A-Kid Safety Harness is a worthwhile investment, as it is easy to use, attaches to most seat belts and is easily packed away in a school bag. This makes it an excellent choice for carpool groups.

● Always have your children climb out of the car on the pavement side of your vehicle. If this is not possible, always look for oncoming vehicles before opening the car door and assist them with getting to the pavement. Have them go quickly and directly to the schoolyard away from the drop-off zone.

● Plan where they should wait at the pick-up zone after school that is away from traffic.

SCHOOL BUS & MINIBUS SAFETY

Public transport has its pitfalls when it comes to road safety, leaving a lot of room for improvement. For many families, it is the only viable option available. There are a few things families can do to improve the safety of the experience for their children:

● It is best to try and make use of a transport company that only carries students or is hired by the school. These companies are more likely to have the safety of children in mind. If this is not an option for your child, have an adult travel with them or else watch that they make use of a bus or minibus that is safe for their journey.

● Never leave children alone at a bus stop. An adult must wait with them until they board.

● Children should not wander away from the bus stop. Not only do they risk missing their transport, but they might find themselves in dangerous situations.

● Teach your children that they should always stand 3 metres away from a bus until instructed to board. Buses have many blind spots and can also obstruct the view of children for other drivers on the road. Due to the height of a bus, a driver is also unable to see directly in front or behind the bus – never stand in these areas!

● Children must remain seated for the duration of their journey. They should only leave their seats to disembark when the driver says it is safe to do so.

WALKING & CYCLING TO SCHOOL

If you live close to your child’s school, cycling or walking may be an option for them. It can be a great source of exercise and outside enrichment as part of their day. Be informed about the safety of this option in your area before considering this option.

● Children who are walking or cycling must wear high-visibility clothing. Drivers may not see child pedestrians and cyclists, especially in low-light conditions. High-visibility reflective clothing – a vest or beanie, for example – will make them more noticeable. This allows drivers to safely navigate and anticipate their movements.

● Cyclists must wear helmets at all times during their journey. This is a requirement by law but also reduces the risk of death and serious injury. A cycling helmet must be the appropriate size. Straps should be secure and snug, not allowing the helmet to shift.

● Children walking to school should stay on the pavement away from traffic – never walk on the road. Cyclists should stay as close to the pavement as possible and make use of a cycling lane if one is available.

● If other children in your neighbourhood also walk or cycle to school, arrange with their parents for them to journey together. Children are safer in a group than walking or cycling alone.

● It is very important to teach child pedestrians and cyclists how to cross roads. They must look right and left before crossing and never cross on a blind corner where they cannot see an oncoming vehicle. Show them where they can make use of pedestrian crossings on their route.

● Stress to your child that they must walk or cycle directly to and from school without any detours. Have them be home by a certain time so that you can be sure that they are safe.

● For cyclists, find out where the school’s designated bike racks are. Teach them how to use a bike lock to keep their bicycle from being stolen.

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS

● Have children carry “In Case of Emergency” details on them, especially if taking public transport/walking/cycling. Do not put their name in these details which can be used by strangers and traffickers to lure them away from safety.

● Teach your children not to talk to strangers or get into unfamiliar cars.

● Talk to your children about road safety rules and reinforce them. Consistent repetition is key!

● Don’t let children wear headphones/use cellphones while travelling to/from school. These can be a distraction that can cause them to step in front of vehicles or wander off from a safe area.

● Organise with the school or PTA to have a Parent or Student Patrol around the school during peak times to help children cross the roads.

Let’s keep our learners safe this year, starting with road safety. Wheel Well provides school talks on road safety for students at primary school and high school levels. If you would be interested in having us visit your child’s school, speak to the school’s organising committee or get in touch with us. The safety of all children on our roads is our #1 goal!

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The Perils of Driving with Your Baby on Your Lap: A Risky Choice.

Peggie Mars / 02/01/2024

The Perils of Driving with Your Baby on Your Lap: A Risky Choice.

The bond between a parent and their child is undeniably strong, and it’s natural for parents to want to keep their little ones close. However, when it comes to driving, the safety of both the parent and the child should always be the top priority. Unfortunately, some parents still choose to drive with their baby on their lap, unaware of the significant dangers associated with this practice. In this blog, we will explore the risks and consequences of driving with a baby on your lap and emphasize the importance of proper child restraint systems.

Lack of Restraint:

One of the most apparent dangers of driving with a baby on your lap is the absence of any form of restraint. In the event of a sudden stop or a collision, an unrestrained child becomes a projectile within the vehicle, putting them at an extremely high risk of injury. Even at low speeds, the force generated during a crash can lead to severe consequences for both the adult and the child.

Airbag Risks:

Modern vehicles are equipped with airbags designed to provide additional protection in the event of a crash. However, these safety features can become deadly when a child is seated on an adult’s lap. Airbags deploy with tremendous force, and their impact can cause serious injuries, especially to infants and small children. Placing a child on your lap puts them directly in the path of the deploying airbag, increasing the likelihood of severe harm.

Collision Forces:

In a collision, the forces exerted on an unrestrained child are immense. The weight that the child takes on is equal to their weight multiplied by the speed before impact. For example, if a child weighs 10 kgs and you were traveling at 60 km/h, the child takes on the weight of 600 kgs during the collision. It’s crucial to understand that there’s no way to hold onto them securely during such a forceful impact.

Legal Consequences:

Apart from the obvious safety risks, driving with a baby on your lap may also have legal repercussions. In South Africa it is law that all children under 3 are restrained in a suitable car seat, and that children between 3 and 12 years must be restrained in a suitable car seat if one is available otherwise, they must be restrained on the back seat. Driving without securing your child in an appropriate restraint system can result in fines.

The dangers of driving with a baby on your lap are clear and should never be underestimated. The potential for serious injuries and even fatalities is far too great to ignore. It is crucial for parents to prioritize the safety of their children by using appropriate child restraint systems, such as rear-facing car seats, forward facing car seats, booster seats, and seat belts, depending on the child’s age and size.

Ultimately, the responsibility of ensuring a child’s safety while driving falls on the shoulders of every parent or guardian. By understanding and acknowledging the risks associated with driving with a baby on your lap, we can collectively work towards creating a safer environment for our youngest passengers and fostering a culture of responsible parenting on the road.

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Ensuring Safety in School Transport: A Call for Accountability and Change.

Peggie Mars / 02/01/2024

Ensuring Safety in School Transport: A Call for Accountability and Change

School transport is an integral part of ensuring that our children have access to education and social interaction. However, it’s important to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect – the loading of these vehicles and the safety implications associated with it. Specifically, the regulations dictate the loading of children in vehicles. This post delves into this issue, the potential risks it poses, and calls for collective accountability and gradual regulatory change to prioritize the safety of our Children.

The Current Loading Regulations

As per the regulation 231 of the NRTA, the loading of a vehicle considers children under three as non-persons, children between three and six as two children count as one person, and children between six and thirteen, three children count as one person. This implies that a 13-seater minibus can legally carry a driver plus eighteen children between six and thirteen or twenty-four children between three and six years old, provided the maximum weight limit is not exceeded. However, this legal allowance does not equate to safety, as it means there may not be a designated seat or seatbelt per child.

Balancing Legality and Safety

While legal standards permit such loading configurations, it’s essential to highlight the potential safety risks associated with overloading. Having 18-24 children unrestrained in a moving vehicle poses a significant threat to their safety in the event of a crash or sudden braking. The absence of appropriate restraints compromises their well-being, urging us to prioritize safety over mere legality.

Parental Concerns and Responsibilities

Many parents utilizing school transport services often rely on public transportation themselves and need to leave for work before their children depart for school and may not witness the condition or loading of the vehicles. Balancing work and childcare responsibilities are a challenge, and relying solely on changing regulations is not sufficient. Parents need to take an active role in ensuring their children’s safety by communicating with the school and staying informed about the condition of the vehicles.

The Role of Teachers and Schools

Teachers play a pivotal role in our children’s lives, extending beyond the classroom. They are often present when the children are dropped off from the school transport, providing an opportunity to observe the vehicle’s condition and loading. Schools can take a proactive approach by assigning teachers to inspect vehicles, report any issues, and communicate with parents to collectively address safety concerns.

Striving for an Ideal World

In an ideal world, regulations would evolve to ensure that in school transport each child has a designated seat, seatbelt, and if needed, a car seat. While achieving this may take time, advocating for these changes is crucial. By raising awareness, working together, and pushing for safer transport conditions, we can strive towards a future where the safety of our little ones is always prioritized.

In conclusion, the existing regulations concerning the loading of school transport vehicles pose a safety risk for our young children. It’s imperative that parents, teachers, schools, and authorities collaborate to hold drivers accountable for safe loading practices. Furthermore, advocating for changes in regulations that prioritize individual safety measures for each child is a step towards creating a safer school transport environment for all.

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THE FESTIVE SEASON & ROAD SAFETY THESE HOLIDAYS.

Peggie Mars / 27/11/2023

THE FESTIVE SEASON & ROAD SAFETY THESE HOLIDAYS.

The holidays are nearly upon us – let’s talk about festive season road safety!

Nicknamed the “silly season”, the annual summer holidays are a time of jolly festivity. It is also a time when people seem to be more careless in many regards, but also on our roads.

Last month we discussed how to ensure your child’s car seat was ready for the holiday season. This month we are addressing general road safety.

Whether you are going away for the holidays or taking a “staycation” here are some tips for staying safe on the road.

VEHICLE & TYRE SERVICE

Before the holiday season kicks off, this is a fantastic time to get your car serviced and tyres replaced.

Vehicle maintenance is an essential part of road safety. A vehicle that is not functioning at its peak performance is a hazard to you and others on the road. Ask your mechanic to do a full service. Check engine health, brakes, wheel alignment, airbags, lights, and other important checks included in a service.

It is also important to check whether your tyres are in need of replacement, especially if you are embarking on a long trip. Don’t forget to make sure that your spare tyre is also checked and ready in case you sustain a puncture.

It is also wise to invest in a breakdown kit, should you have any troubles on your journey. A breakdown kit should include:

Spare tyre & car jack and spanner

Reflective vest

Emergency triangle

Jumper Cables

Spare fuses

Book a service with our road safety partner, Supa Quick. Supa Quick also serves as a drop-off point for car seat donations. You can help us to ensure that a child in need of a car seat is travelling safely these holidays.

PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY

When planning out your journey, it is a good idea to consider the length of your journey and how familiar you are with the roads you are travelling on.

If you are planning on travelling across the country, consider stopping overnight to break up the journey. Especially if you are solely responsible for driving, it is best not to drive for more than 6-7 hours in a single day. For example, those driving from Gauteng to the coast, Gariep Dam and surrounding towns make for a nice halfway overnight stop. It has many options to cater to your needs, whether you are travelling alone, with children or pets. Remember – you are on holiday, so try not to rush the trip in a single day, if it is safer to do it over two days. If there is more than one available driver, take turns driving so that each driver is able to rest. Fatigue is almost as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs!

Try to take note of routes that offer frequent stops, such as roadside petrol stations. This will give you an opportunity to have a coffee, stretch your legs and let your kids run around for a bit.

Always know how far away the next available stop is so that you do not get caught unaware – whether it is to rest or fill up on fuel. You should take a rest stop every 2 hours or 200km.

UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY & ADVERSE DRIVING CONDITIONS

Holiday travelling often takes one away from all that we are familiar with. When travelling on unfamiliar roads, drive with extra caution.

Even when you are on holiday, roadworks and potholes don’t take time off. Some areas of the country have terrible roads and there are many potholes. When driving along these stretches of road, drive slowly to avoid damaging your vehicle or tyres.

Roadworks are also almost always something you will encounter while travelling on the road. Remember they are essential to the upkeep of the roads, so exercise patience when encountering them. Be aware of upcoming “Stop & Go’s”, and pay attention to signs and signals from road workers. Never try and skip the queue or try and slip through a “Stop & Go”. If it is not your turn to do so this can very likely end in a collision.

Keeping an eye on loadshedding schedules and weather reports along your route can also alert you to upcoming adverse driving conditions so that you can safely navigate them. As we have discussed before, for every adverse driving condition – whether that be driving in the dark or during loadshedding, harsh weather or damaged roads – drive 10% slower for each adverse condition. This will give you extra time to react to anything dangerous and unpredictable that may cross your path.

TRAVELLING SAFELY ALONGSIDE TRUCKS

Think of trucks on the road as “Santa’s helpers”. They need to transport their goods to stores so that you are able to go shopping for gifts, food and other merry things this season.

Without the transport industry, the holidays would not be nearly as festive and jolly. Throughout the holiday season, trucks will be trekking back and forth across the country. It is important to know how to safely share the road with them.

As we stated in a previous article, 70% of truck-related car fatalities are initiated by car drivers. 35% of these fatalities occur in trucks’ blind spots. Be mindful of trucks’ blindspots when overtaking them.

ROADBLOCKS & DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

As a rule of thumb when driving near or far during the holiday season, expect there to be roadblocks.

It goes without saying that you should ALWAYS have your driver’s licence on you when operating a vehicle. If there was ever a time you would get caught driving without one, it is during the festive season. The South African Police Service and Metro Police are on high alert for unsafe behaviour. Ensure your licence is valid and up to date, or else you might find yourself with a hefty fine for Christmas. Also, ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and in a safe condition for driving.

By the same token, roadblocks are ready and waiting to breathalyse anyone who may have gotten a bit too much into the festive spirit. In today’s times, with easy access to Uber and other similar taxi services, there is no reason to drink and drive.

If you are going to be drinking, plan ahead and leave your car behind or have a designated driver. When you drink before getting behind the wheel, you are not only putting yourself at risk but everyone else on the road. This is an avoidable risk. Also, if you make the right choice, consider that other people might not be as responsible. Be on the lookout for other drivers who may be driving unsafely or erratically and report them.

PEDESTRIANS

A large part of the population will be travelling to the coast to enjoy summer on the beach. Towns and cities by the ocean see a huge increase in the number of pedestrians. Some towns will even close off roads, making them pedestrian-only. With people walking between the beach, restaurants and bars, it is important to be extra careful when navigating these crowded areas. This is even more true at night. Drive slowly and check your blind spots.

If you are a pedestrian during these busy times, look right and left before crossing the road. Avoid walking alone if you are inebriated.

Also, be on the lookout for pickpocketing and muggings in some areas. Keep your valuables hidden to avoid becoming a target.

MATRIC RAGE

At the beginning of December, matrics from all over the country will be flocking to the coast to celebrate the end of exams and the beginning of adulthood. Durban and Plettenberg Bay are especially popular destinations. Many of these youngsters will be elated by their newfound freedom to drive and drink legally. Unfortunately sometimes at the same time.

Most of us remember our own Matric Rage or similar post-high school “jol”. It can be a time when a sense of responsibility is not at the top of our priority list. If you see any teens getting themselves into trouble and acting irresponsibly, step in to help or report it to someone who is equipped to assist.

Red Frogs is a fantastic organisation of volunteers who help out at Matric Rage festivals around South Africa. They are specifically there to help anyone who might have partied too hard. They also give out free pancakes!

To our matrics of 2023: have fun, stay safe, drink water, take Ubers, and enjoy your first taste of adulthood this summer. Also, be respectful of the locals in the town you are visiting.

DONATE BLOOD

Before you leave for the holiday, consider donating blood if you are able – it is the season of giving, after all. Car crashes are an inevitable part of the holiday season, but your blood could save someone’s life. A car crash victim can require up to 100 units of blood and supplies run low over the holidays.

Take a look at the SANBS website to find out where to donate.

From all of us at Wheel Well, have a magnificently festive holiday season with family and friends. Stay safe on the roads and always, drive lovingly. See you next year!

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IS YOUR CAR SEAT READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Peggie Mars / 22/11/2023

IS YOUR CAR SEAT READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

The last leg of the year is upon us and the holiday season is right around the corner. Before the holidays start, now is a good time to check that your car seats are the correct size for your children and safe for use.

Although the holidays are filled with cheer and merriment, a time with family and friends, it is also a time when our roads are the most deadly. As much as it is a time for rest and relaxation, one should never relax when it comes to road safety. Especially when it comes to the safety of our children.

Here is a list of ten things to ensure your car seat is ready for the festive season.

THE RIGHT SEAT

Children have a tendency to get bigger at lightning speed. Anyone with young children knows the pain of having to buy new clothes almost seasonally as their young ones outgrow everything. The same is true of their car seats.

It is very important that your child’s car seats are the correct size and type for their developmental stage. Infants, toddlers and young children all have different requirements for their developmental stages and it is vital that their car seat caters to these needs. An incorrect car seat for their age, size and weight could result in serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

This is a great time to check whether your car seat is still suitable for your child’s developmental stage. We have these useful infographics and this article to help you to determine whether it’s suitable. If you are still unsure, get in contact with Wheel Well and we will be happy to help you.

THE RIGHT PLACE

The safest place for your child to be in a vehicle is in the backseat. This is true up until at least age 13 years. Should they be flung from their harness in a collision while seated in the back, the seat in front of them will better prevent them from going through the windshield. In the front seat, the impact of the airbag deploying could cause them serious injury and even death if they are in a car seat. The backseat is again safer for this reason.

THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The topic of rear-facing car seats is something we have covered several times before. Ultimately, you want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible – usually up until 15 months. Due to an infant or toddler having a more fragile body and bone structure, they need more support. In a forward-facing seat a collision may cause their head to be flung forward with enormous force. This can result in death on account of their still-developing neck and head. By rear-facing their car seat, the backrest provides better support against the momentum of a car crash.

THE INSTALLATION INCH TEST

When installing a car seat, correct installation is vital. Ensure that you have followed the car seat manual to the letter to make sure it is safe and secure. Once you have the car seat installed, give it a firm shake. Try to move it from side to side, and then backwards and forwards. If your car seat is safely and correctly installed, it should not move more than an inch (2.5cm) in any direction. Regularly check this to ensure that it remains true.

THE PINCH TEST

Once your car seat is secure, the next thing to check is whether the harnesses are snug. Firstly check that the harness straps are correctly slotted through the car seat in compliance with the manual.

Once your child is securely buckled up in their seat, make sure the straps are not too tight. This can cause a lot of discomfort and even injury. It is even more important to ensure that the straps are not too loose. Loose straps could render the car seat ineffective if your child is able to slip out. Try and pinch the straps – if you’re able to pinch any excess webbing then they are too loose and should be tightened.

When positioning the harness on a rear-facing car seat, the harness should be slightly below the shoulder. On a forward-facing car seat, check that the harness is slightly above the shoulder.

TWISTED HARNESS CHECK

When strapping your little one in, run your fingers along the harness straps to ensure that they are not twisted. Not only is this uncomfortable for your child, but it can also interfere with ensuring that the straps are properly tightened. A twisted harness can also cause extra bruising and injury in a collision.

PASSENGER SEAT & AIRBAG

If you have no other alternative than to place your child’s car seat on the front passenger seat, remember to deactivate the airbag. The force at which an airbag deploys, while potentially saving the life of an adult, can be fatal to a child. This is especially true of a rear-facing car seat which could propel a young child face-first into the seat with incredible impact on their heads, neck and spine. We never recommend rear-facing a car seat in the passenger seat for this reason.

SLEEPING SUPPORT

If your child is likely to fall asleep or you notice them starting to nod off, put the car seat into the reclined position. Place a small neck cushion or else a rolled up cloth or towel under their chin. This will help them to breathe freely. On the inverse, do not put a cushion or similar behind their heads as this will tilt their heads too far forward, causing discomfort and potentially hindering their breathing.

STOPPING REGULARLY

Long car journeys can be taxing even on an adult, let alone a child. Especially with the excitement of a fun holiday at the end of a trip, children are often energetic and can grow quickly tired of the confines of a car. When they sleep in a car seat, they also do not get the same good quality sleep as they would in a bed. This can result in slightly lower blood oxygen levels and a child that may be a bit more grumpy than usual. When travelling with children, plan to stop every two hours or 200km in order for them to stretch their legs and expel some energy.

Thankfully there are many petrol stations along the major highways that have jungle gyms and kiddie play areas. If you are travelling off the beaten track and don’t have access to these facilities, take a little walk with the children away from the roads to get blood and oxygen flowing again. This will make for a more comfortable trip for everyone.

TOYS, SNACKS & ENTERTAINMENT

For many children, the excitement of getting in the car and setting off on holiday can wear off quickly. It’s best to be prepared for potentially having some bored and restless little passengers. Unless you are fortunate to have a quiet “car-sleeper”, have some toys and snacks on hand. Avoid snacks that might have a high sugar content because the last thing you want is a hyperactive child going wild in the back seat.

If they are playing with toys, let them play with one toy at a time. You don’t want them to get bored of everything all at once, but more importantly it is good to pack away any unnecessary toys that could be flung around in a crash.

A tablet with some movies or audiobooks can keep them entertained for long periods of time. Alternatively, playing some interactive car games with them (such as the classic “I Spy”) will also help stave off the all too familiar “Are we there yet?”.

Next month we will be looking at some general tips for anyone travelling on the road over the festive season. Otherwise, we wish you and your family safe travels and a fantastic festive season.

Once again, should you have any further questions or need any help getting your car seat ready for the holidays, Wheel Well is always happy to provide advice. Please get in contact here.

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