1. The Road Rules and exemptions for children with disabilities or medical conditions Zora Marko Project Manager Early Learning Association Australia

2. Starting Out Safely Victoria’s early childhood road safety education program Delivered by ELAA Funded by VicRoads

3. Victoria’s child restraint road rules Children up to 4 years must be in either a rearward or forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness

4. Road rules Children 4 years up to 7 years must be in either a forward facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness or a booster seat

5. Road rules Children 7 to 16 years must be restrained in either a child restraint with an inbuilt harness, a booster seat or with a lap sash seatbelt

6. Moving from one restraint to another If a child doesn’t fit then the next restraint category can be used. Don’t move to the next category child restraint too soon. Follow the child restraint instructions and the shoulder height markers.

9. 145 cm tall Research recommends that children travel in a booster seat until they are at least 145 cm tall 1 1. References: (Bilston and Sagar, 2007; Brown and Bilston, 2009)

10. When is a child ready for an adult seat belt – the 5 step test

11. Front seat travel Children under 4 must not travel in the front seat of a car. Children under 7 should not travel in the front seat of a car. Unless all of the back seats are being used by children aged under 7 then a child over 4 can sit in the front seat with a booster seat that does not have a tether strap.

12. Exemptions from the road rules Children with medical conditions or physical disabilities may be exempt from the road rules 1. New provision regarding exemption to front seat restrictions 1 Road Safety Road Rules 2009 – Reg 267 Exemptions from wearing seatbelts or sitting in child restraints or booster seats

13. Exemptions from the road rules Obtain a certificate from a registered medical practitioner Certificate must have an expiry date Any conditions of the certificate must be complied with Produce the certificate when requested by police

14. Child restraint options

15. More Information TOCAN website rch.org.au/tocan VicRoads Road rule questions – 13 11 71 vicroads.gov.au ELAA childroadsafety.org.au 94893500