Kids on the front seat, the law?

[Slowbee]

A little write up about the subject:

 

https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Car-Seats-for-Kids-and-Road-Safety-in-South-Africa

I did read this - but it says nothing about the legal age.

[Slowbee]

Hey I actually know a traffic court judge..I should maybe ask her.

Gen that would be AWSEOME!

 

Would allow great clarity on the subject!

[Gen]

Gen that would be AWSEOME!

 

Would allow great clarity on the subject!

I have popped her a mail.. will post her reply here..well hoping I get a reply lol.

[Fruity]

I did read this - but it says nothing about the legal age.

A bit more helpful?

 

https://www.womenonwheels.co.za/safety/car-seat-safety-law-south-africa/

 

https://www.wheels24.co.za/AutoTrader/children-as-front-passengers-in-cars-from-what-age-is-it-really-safe-20170908

[Slowbee]

thanks ww80, but read all those.

 

Sent emails and waiting for responses.

 

As someone else pointed out, if the law says no children under the age of 13, does that mean you need proof of age in your car. I mean your 11 year old, could be 13......

 

All the "stuff" my 8 year old knows that I "dont" could make her at least 21

[Long Wheel Base]

Or what about parents of more than 2 children....

 

Some interesting considerations (both hearsay, I don't have references):

From a design point of view the passenger seat of a car is the second safest seat in a vehicle.

From a behavioral point of view, the seat behind the driver is the safest (drivers will instinctively swerve to protect themselves)

Illegal or not, I don't have a choice right now. I have 3 kids. A 3 year old and 5 month old twins. Wife has a qashqai and I have a navara. There is NO way we can fit all 3 car seats on the back seat of either vehicle. Trust me, we tried. Maybe if you have smaller car seats you can but with ours, no chance. My oldest is in a recaro chair and it is one of the safest car seats available. It has more impact protection than some cars!!!(so it is fairly wide) The twins are in chicco rear facing chairs. We need 5 FULL size seats and the middle seat is not wide enough. Even these so called 7 seater SUVs are no good as the stupid little seats in the back are not full size(and then you got bugger all boot for a pram etc). We put my oldest' chair in the front and disable the airbag and put the seat as far back as possible. Then my wife sits in the middle seat between the twins. We have looked at a lot of cars to replace the qashqai with and so far, short of getting a bus(kombi/H1 etc) the best option is a kia grand sedona but new they go for around R700k and 2nd hand they north of R500k. We don't have that cash right now while the wife is not receiving a salary.

[Frosty]

Or what about parents of more than 2 children....

 

Some interesting considerations (both hearsay, I don't have references):

From a design point of view the passenger seat of a car is the second safest seat in a vehicle.

From a behavioral point of view, the seat behind the driver is the safest (drivers will instinctively swerve to protect themselves)

I was the sole survivor of a head-on collision (Hilux 4x4 vs a tanker truck).

 

I was behind the passenger, while the other 4 in the Hilux with me all died. That makes me part of the statistic that shows the seat behind the passenger is the safest.

[Slowbee]

Any update on the info for this chaps?

 

Consensus on the legal age ?

[Pure Savage]

Illegal or not, I don't have a choice right now. I have 3 kids. A 3 year old and 5 month old twins. Wife has a qashqai and I have a navara. There is NO way we can fit all 3 car seats on the back seat of either vehicle. Trust me, we tried. Maybe if you have smaller car seats you can but with ours, no chance. My oldest is in a recaro chair and it is one of the safest car seats available. It has more impact protection than some cars!!!(so it is fairly wide) The twins are in chicco rear facing chairs. We need 5 FULL size seats and the middle seat is not wide enough. Even these so called 7 seater SUVs are no good as the stupid little seats in the back are not full size(and then you got bugger all boot for a pram etc). We put my oldest' chair in the front and disable the airbag and put the seat as far back as possible. Then my wife sits in the middle seat between the twins. We have looked at a lot of cars to replace the qashqai with and so far, short of getting a bus(kombi/H1 etc) the best option is a kia grand sedona but new they go for around R700k and 2nd hand they north of R500k. We don't have that cash right now while the wife is not receiving a salary.

We have got to drive a few bakkies for DC and work, the widest one we found was the Hilux, we managed to get 2 ISOFIX and a buckle in seat on the back bench. We could not in the Navara, Volvo, amarok and ranger (most of them just have too much bulk on the doors like cup holders etc) Looks like its time for a H1

[The Ouzo]

We have got to drive a few bakkies for DC and work, the widest one we found was the Hilux, we managed to get 2 ISOFIX and a buckle in seat on the back bench. We could not in the Navara, Volvo, amarok and ranger (most of them just have too much bulk on the doors like cup holders etc) Looks like its time for a H1

yeah even the XC90 that is a huge vehicle is not wide enough to put 3 baby seats next to each other.

[Stretch]

I was the sole survivor of a head-on collision (Hilux 4x4 vs a tanker truck).

 

I was behind the passenger, while the other 4 in the Hilux with me all died. That makes me part of the statistic that shows the seat behind the passenger is the safest.

Well I just read this now.... That's pretty hectic.. You must have begun to view life very differently from that point forward

[Frosty]

Well I just read this now.... That's pretty hectic.. You must have begun to view life very differently from that point forward

The view that we will all die one day hasn’t changed - it’s just “when” that differs from person to person. I’ve accepted that when it’s ones time, it’s time... I prefer to celebrate the life lived and not mourn the loss.

 

I have no problem talking about it, and occasionally get a lump in my throat.

 

Edit: One thing that did change, in regards to this thread, is when I see kids standing - it gets my blood boiling when I see parents allowing it... if only they knew how quickly an incident happens that would require excessive braking. If they are stopped at a red light, and I’m on my bike I usually try make a point of talking to them, and it usually ends with me being told to mind my own business.

[Shebeen]

the origina post reminds me of this a joka

 

Five Germans in an Audi Quattro arrive at the Italian border.
The Italian Customs agent stops them and tells them:

"It'sa illegala to putta 5 people in a Quattro."

"Vot do you mean it'z illegal?" asks the German driver.

"Quattro meansa four" replies the Italian official.

"Qvattro is just ze name of ze automobile", the Germans retort unbelievingly.
"Look at ze papers: zis car is designt to kerry 5 persons."

"You can'ta pulla thata one on me!", replies the Italian customs agent.
"Quattro meansa four. You hava fivea people ina your car and you are thereforea breaking the law."

The German driver replies angrily, "You idiot! Call your zupervisor over, I vant to speak to somevone viz more intelligence!"

"Sorry", responds the Italian official, "he can'ta come. 
He'sa busy with a man and his wife in a Fiat Uno.

[Red Robin]

What makes me really angry is seeing parents sitting with their toddler/baby on their lap on the front seat and an empty car chair in the back seat.

[Kranswurm]

the origina post reminds me of this a joka

 

Five Germans in an Audi Quattro arrive at the Italian border.

The Italian Customs agent stops them and tells them:

 

"It'sa illegala to putta 5 people in a Quattro."

 

"Vot do you mean it'z illegal?" asks the German driver.

 

"Quattro meansa four" replies the Italian official.

 

"Qvattro is just ze name of ze automobile", the Germans retort unbelievingly.

"Look at ze papers: zis car is designt to kerry 5 persons."

 

"You can'ta pulla thata one on me!", replies the Italian customs agent.

"Quattro meansa four. You hava fivea people ina your car and you are thereforea breaking the law."

 

The German driver replies angrily, "You idiot! Call your zupervisor over, I vant to speak to somevone viz more intelligence!"

 

"Sorry", responds the Italian official, "he can'ta come.

He'sa busy with a man and his wife in a Fiat Uno.

Ai....

[DJR]

the origina post reminds me of this a joka

 

Five Germans in an Audi Quattro arrive at the Italian border.

The Italian Customs agent stops them and tells them:

 

"It'sa illegala to putta 5 people in a Quattro."

 

"Vot do you mean it'z illegal?" asks the German driver.

 

"Quattro meansa four" replies the Italian official.

 

"Qvattro is just ze name of ze automobile", the Germans retort unbelievingly.

"Look at ze papers: zis car is designt to kerry 5 persons."

 

"You can'ta pulla thata one on me!", replies the Italian customs agent.

"Quattro meansa four. You hava fivea people ina your car and you are thereforea breaking the law."

 

The German driver replies angrily, "You idiot! Call your zupervisor over, I vant to speak to somevone viz more intelligence!"

 

"Sorry", responds the Italian official, "he can'ta come. 

He'sa busy with a man and his wife in a Fiat Uno.

NEVER take a Fiat Panda to Italy if you don't want trouble