Parents confused over car seats

Parents are confused about how to keep their children safe in cars and most have no idea what the restraint laws dictate, according to a major review of child car safety.

The national report released on Monday paints a grim picture of accident statistics, parental knowledge and current legislation surrounding kids and cars.

Most alarming was a trend showing Australian children were moving to adult seat belts as young as three, putting them at risk of significant head injuries.

Paediatricians who headed the study said widespread uncertainty about the legal requirements and practical options were behind the problem.

"There was clear uncertainty about optimal restraint choices and correct installation, as well as the safest seating positions for kids," said Dr Yvonne Zurynski, assistant director of the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit.

"So really, knowledge overall was very poor."

The review, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, said confusion was worst for children aged three to seven.

Current restraint legislation requires only that infants up to the age of one travel in a properly-fitted, Australian Standards-approved child restraint.

Recent changes proposed by the National Transport Commission would require children to use a restraint with an in-built harness up the age of four, and then a booster seat to the age of seven.

If adopted, the laws could be introduced as early as December.

Dr Zurynski said the changes were "vital" because Australian child restraint laws lag behind those in other countries.

New Zealand, Canada, the US, UK and 12 European nations have more stringent restraint rules in place to protect children.

Whatever changes are instituted, the authors say widespread education campaigns are badly needed to boost understanding among parents.

The report found that only 44 per cent were aware of any child restraint laws.

While most thought installing a child restraint was "easy", a survey found that 20 per cent were fitted incorrectly.

Almost half said they purchased their restraint with inadequate or no sales advice.

Recent figures show 92 per cent of Australian parents use seat belts or child restraints for their children.

"The stats indicate that parents want to be safe but unfortunately many don't know how to be so," Dr Zurynski said.

"We need to do all we can to change that."