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| carseats | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 3 2007, 02:23:10 PM (1,003 Views) | |
| flgirlinsydney | May 9 2008, 10:46:37 PM Post #21 |
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Chinwagger
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I can't imagine being stopped for having an American car seat--are they going to remove the carseat and check for a sticker? Maybe? I still think the U.S. ones feel safer with the 5 pt. harness. But if you don't live here yet, you wouldn't be familiar with our favorite Aussie TV show-- Border Security. It's crazy. |
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http://www.floridagirlinsydney.blogspot.com In Sydney since June 2007 for my husband's job. | |
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| shylady | May 9 2008, 10:53:18 PM Post #22 |
oldYank
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flgirl, my Aussie husband is one of them guys in the blue shirts on Border Security, he works for Customs. :p And he had a fit that I had carried kwirkie's kids in the car he'd just bought, that didn't have the proper latch-bolts to tether them, just plugged holes. :headscratch: :goodonya: |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| NY'ker | May 9 2008, 11:45:53 PM Post #23 |
True Blue Mate
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I got a message back from the RTA and all they told me was that my American carseats would be illegal in NSW. DUH, I already know that. They didn't answer the how long do I have to replace them question, so I figure it must be asap. I actually spoke with my Mum about this topic this morning. She said we would just go shopping after we get here, I think she is excited to go shopping for things for the grandkids!  You know that the safe and sound brand of car seat in Australia is made by the Britax company, so why oh why would they be any different from here to there????? It is a conspiracy I tell ya to make you buy more stuff. 
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 Natalie (Aussie) and Greg (American) and our two kiddos - Mackenzie (5) and Jack (2) | |
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| imafranktoo | May 10 2008, 01:05:13 AM Post #24 |
Little Miss Key Breaker
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I know I don't have babies needing carseats anymore, but I have one question....shylady said her husband was upset that kids rode in his car because it didn't have the proper anchors/tethers....does this mean you have to purchase a new car too when you have kids? |
| FRANKIES[color][font][/color][/font] | |
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| anater | May 10 2008, 02:41:53 AM Post #25 |
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True Blue Mate
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I read the Australian online regs and was a bit confused as well - it seems like Australia doesn't have the lengthier weight and age limits like the US. In Washington State they were pushing 80 lbs or 8 years. I'm all for safety, but that seems a little excessive. The brochure quoted above states "if the restraint is available" - what exactly does that mean? It can't mean that if the car doesn't have one then you're not required to use one? Bottom line, does anyone know until age or weight do kids definitely need to be restrained in a Australian certified car seat? I know that states may differ, we'll be in NSW. Since we have the five point harness and the top tether I think I'll bring our booster along for the time being. Our son is 46 pounds (I'm not in metric mode yet) and 45". I figure that once my son reaches that limit I can use my booster and I won't be violating any laws? I may just be confused or didn't read the post correctly, if so just hit me upside my head. :smash: |
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| NY'ker | May 10 2008, 04:43:42 AM Post #26 |
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True Blue Mate
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I think as long as the child is in any kind of carseat (regular or booster) it needs to have the Australian Standards sticker on it. Here is a link to an article outlining the most current PROPOSED laws regarding child car seats. It says that up to age 4 a child needs to be in a seat with a built in harness. From 4 to 7 they need to be in a booster seat. http://www.babyzonedirect.com.au/informati...nformation.html Hope that helps Edited to add that the article is about proposed changes.
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Natalie (Aussie) and Greg (American) and our two kiddos - Mackenzie (5) and Jack (2) | |
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| shylady | May 10 2008, 10:19:59 AM Post #27 |
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oldYank
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:rolleyes: just about! We'd just gotten the car, so I had no clue it didn't have all the hooks installed, and I picked up kwirkie and 2 of the 3 girls. We secured the carseats with the seatbelts, like the American ones I've used, but he told me it was still illegal 
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| imafranktoo | May 10 2008, 11:47:03 AM Post #28 |
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Little Miss Key Breaker
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I'm not one to be a conspiracy theorist(sp?) but.....something smells rotten in the state of Denmark! Having to buy carseats (if from overseas) and a new car (due to affordability may not allow to buy older and be legal with carseats)....it seems a lot of business is winning and the customer is out lots of money....but hey...I'm not one for conspiracies..... :headscratch: |
| FRANKIES[color][font][/color][/font] | |
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| shylady | May 10 2008, 11:57:45 AM Post #29 |
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oldYank
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yeah. :& I'm going to call the dealer and ask how much it costs to have the hooks installed in the holes that have plugs in them, I bet it's not cheap. :& Though they must be available to put in yourself. |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| NY'ker | May 11 2008, 12:42:37 AM Post #30 |
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True Blue Mate
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Here is the reply I got from the RTA on how long I have to replace my American Carseats. The regulation does not provide a time limit, it just makes it illegal to use. If you have small children that must be in child restraint, I would imagine (and hope) that the authorities would be lenient for your trip from the airport to home, since you are trying for the safest option for you child. If you wish to get an official concession, please let me know and I can find the right contact in the RTA for you. |
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Natalie (Aussie) and Greg (American) and our two kiddos - Mackenzie (5) and Jack (2) | |
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| TerritorianTori | May 11 2008, 12:56:08 AM Post #31 |
It couldn't happen here
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You can have anchors installed - in fact, our latest car seat came with an extra anchor and gives detailed instructions on how to install it. |
 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| anater | May 11 2008, 02:00:55 AM Post #32 |
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True Blue Mate
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Good to know that the anchors can be installed. My husband restored a 70's station wagon (don't ask :rolleyes: ) and we called Dodge dealers all over trying to get an anchor installed for the car seat; no one would do it. Although they wouldn't say so, we assumed that it was for liability reasons. |
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| AmyFromCO | May 12 2008, 03:08:24 PM Post #33 |
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True Blue Mate
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If the OP can get away with the booster seats (I think most 3 and half year olds qualify, but the seats are height and weight based.) they are only about 20$ for the most basic model. The bigger ones run quite a bit more. Maybe the regulations about "readily available" mean for using taxis and busses and such. I don't know. Makes me chuckle a bit at remembering my mom letting us roam all over our 3 seater station wagon. (I'm was a chid in the 70's) The best was laying down in the way back. Mom only made us put on the seat belt if we were up in the front seat and then it was only a lap belt. What a different time we all live in. ~Amy |
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| shylady | May 12 2008, 04:15:20 PM Post #34 |
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oldYank
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:rollin: No kidding! |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| punker79 | May 12 2008, 05:28:24 PM Post #35 |
Chinwagger
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I remember my friend and i lying on a bunch of blankets and pillows in the back of my friend's dad's work truck. You know those trucks with the big tool boxes on the side. We drove a few hours to the river and all we did was sleep all the way there. It was so much fun!!! Like riding bikes without helmets! The good ol' days. 
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| alect | May 13 2008, 08:46:23 PM Post #36 |
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True Blue Mate
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We bought 3 Sunshine Kids Radian80s before moving here - they are great because they last from infant/newborn to 80lbs. One seat. My wife is also adamant that Australian seats are not safe as they don't have the five point restraint (ie the closing of the belts right under the neck on the chest in addition to the buckle in the groin). Alas we cannot have them fitted here as they are technically illegal. Most Australian cars don't have LATCH. Most European and Japanese cars have it but it's called ISOFIX over there - pretty much the same thing and I understand that ASA is reviewing ISOFIX and will soon make it compliant with Australian standards. |
| Los Angeles to Melbourne with my Yank wife (and dual daughter plus twins in the oven) | |
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7:12 PM May 19