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Social & Community News
01 October 2021

Thabazimbi – While driving down Van Der Bijl Street last week, a young family of four came driving past. I couldn’t help but notice that their toddler was standing in the centre of the backseat and a baby was sitting on her mom’s lap. How irresponsible!


First of all, it is against the law! According to the regulation 213 (6A) of the National Road Traffic Act instituted on 30 April 2015, the driver of a motor vehicle operated on a public road, shall ensure that an infant travelling in such a motor vehicle is seated on an appropriate child restraint…


Secondly, studies have shown that child safety seats that are correctly installed for use by children aged zero to four years, can reduce the need for hospitalisation by 69% after an accident. I know what you’re thinking:

“I carry my three-year-old everywhere, I’m strong, and I always make sure that they are safe in my arms. Surely I would be able to hold on to them in an accident.” 


Did you know that in an accident your body weight is multiplied by the speed at which you travel – this is called crash force. Which means that if you are in an accident traveling at 60km per hour your 10kg three-year-old’s crash force would be 600kg, would you be able to hold onto three full size gorillas?  


If you are lucky enough to have an airbag, the force at which the airbag releases, is equivalent to hitting the ground after falling from the third floor of a building. Your safety belt protects you from that. 
Your next excuse would probably be: “But what if I put the safety belt over both of us?” Well, imagine the crash force of your body pressing your child against a safety belt. 


Think long and hard about these numbers and then decide if a quick drive to the shop at 60km per hour with other reckless drivers on the road is really worth being too lazy to not buckle up your child?
Buckle Up!

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