“During 1 January to 31 December 2010, there were 31 unrestrained vehicle occupant fatalities as a result of crashes within Queensland, which represents 28.7% of vehicle occupant fatalities within Queensland, where restraint use was known (n=108)” (Department of Transport and Main Roads 2011, p19).

Around 40 years after seat belt use was first made compulsory in Queensland, it is a real concern that so many vehicle occupants are still being killed in crashes because they are not properly restrained when travelling.

While continued public education about the importance of wearing a seatbelt and enforcement to deter vehicle occupants from failing to wear a seatbelt should continue (especially in regional Queensland), improved vehicle features could also assist in wearing rates.

The safety of children as occupants of motor vehicles is also an important issue. RACQ believes that many serious injuries can be prevented with the proper use of child restraints.

In 2009 Queensland adopted national road rules requiring:

• Children up to six months of age to be appropriately restrained in a suitable approved rearward facing child restraint;
• Children between six months and four years of age to be appropriately restrained in a suitable approved rearward facing child restraint or forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness; and
• Children between four years and seven years of age to be appropriately restrained in a suitable approved forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness, or seated on a suitable approved and appropriately located booster seat and restrained by a seatbelt that is appropriately fastened and adjusted (National Transport Commission 2008).

It is believed that these new rules will help to "provide a safe pathway from capsules to seatbelts and will reduce the risk of injury to children caused by restraints that are unsuitable for their weight and height" (Queensland Transport 2008, p16).

Best practice guidelines are available for child restraint selection and fitting.

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