An Ombudsman’s report into the causes of children dying in car crashes in NSW has revealed that many die because parents and carers fail to heed the Buckle-Up Safely message.
Acting as the Convenor of the NSW Child Death Review Team, NSW Ombudsman, Michael Barnes has tabled the report in Parliament.
The report reviewed the deaths of 66 children aged less than 13 years who died as passengers in vehicle crashes in NSW between 2007 and 2016.
Mr Barnes said it was deeply concerning that 20 of the deaths might have been prevented if the children had been properly restrained in the vehicle.
He said the 20 deaths did not include cases where a restraint or seatbelt would not have made a difference to survival due to the severity of the crash.
“In total, just over half (35) of the 66 children were unrestrained, not using the right restraint for the child’s age, or were using a restraint incorrectly,” Mr Barnes said.
“We must take every opportunity to encourage parents and carers to ensure their children are properly buckled-up,” he said.
“That includes making sure the seatbelt or restraint fits the child, is properly tethered in the vehicle, and that straps are correctly placed.”
He said the review also found clear links between the risk of a child dying in a crash and social disadvantage.
“Like many of our reviews, the report shows that the likelihood of death as a passenger was greater for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children whose families lived in the most disadvantaged areas of the State, and children living in remote areas,” Mr Barnes said.
“This is alarming and I have recommended that strategies to improve restraint practices be specifically targeted to these communities.”
He said the report also recommended regular monitoring of child restraint practices across NSW, wider dissemination of information on best practice for restraining children, and measures to reduce misuse through restraint design and product standard requirements.
The review team’s 61-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
