note – Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) published an article by Dr. Sumet Ongkittikul and Dr. Salilthorn Thongmeensuk, TDRI scholars on compliance restrictions. The Road Traffic Act stipulates that cars must have child safety seats. and recommendations before the law comes into force on
5 September onwards
The Road Traffic Act (No. 13) B.E. 2022 has just been published in the Government Gazette on May 7, with the provisions of Section 123 (2) (b) enforcing the case of passengers. “car” Be a child under 6 years old or not taller than 135 cm. Must have “Child safety seats” or there is a way to prevent danger in the event of an accident which will actually come into force 120 days after the announcement or on September 5
Mandatory child safety seats It is important to protect the life and safety of young children. Because young passengers use conventional seat belts The seat belt will not go over the shoulder and abdomen area. which is the point used to pull the brace to prevent accidents but will pass over the face or neck It is easy to cause accidents during use, such as the organ being subjected to excessive shock or strain due to misuse. or even fall out of pulling a brace in the event of an accident Therefore, it is imperative to use equipment designed specifically for children. Child safety seats reduce the risk of injury or death in an accident by more than 70% compared to wearing seat belts alone. Child safety:
Correct use of child safety seats
Even though the law at the statutory level has already been promulgated. However, keep in mind that the installation of child safety seats is not suitable for every position in the vehicle. For example, child safety seats must only be used with seat belts. And not for use with seats with airbags. Therefore, child safety seats cannot be installed in pickup trucks with only the front seats. But from the wide controversies that have passed over the past few days It raises an important question, is the state that has issued a law to apply to the people, has it communicated to the public enough about the correct usage?
In other countries, children are compelled to sit in child safety seats as well. which came out in conjunction with the setting of seat standards and conditions of use such as Australia The use of child safety seats is based on the Model Australian Road Rules, with different states enforcing certain restrictions. The minimum criteria are as follows:
Children under 6 months of age must use a rear-facing child safety seat.
Children between 6 months and under 4 years old must use a rear-facing child safety seat. or a forward-facing child safety seat with a built-in harness.
Children between the ages of 4 and under 7 must use a forward-facing child safety seat with integrated harness. or an additional seat that is installed in an appropriate position
The driver must have a medical certificate if the child has a medical condition or physical disability that prevents the use of a child restraint. Australia requires child safety seats to meet AS/NZS 1754, which sets out the criteria for the use of child restraints by age. and requirements per child safety seat standards that can be used in Australia, such as marking the maximum child shoulder height when using a child safety seat. and color marking of seat belt paths on child seats. (Blue for facing back yellow for facing forward red for the seat cushion)
• Types of cars that will be enforced.
Road Traffic Act has defined the word “car” as “a vehicle with three or more wheels and walking with engine power. electric power or other power except for vehicles that walk on rails” means that the measure for child safety seats covers all types of vehicles. Both personal cars and vehicles used to transport passengers as well. Except for the exceptions set forth in the last paragraph of section 123, such as tricycles, road rollers, tractors and agricultural vehicles under the law on automobiles. and other vehicles that do not need to be equipped with seat belts as announced by the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport and the exceptions under Section 123/1 are minibuses and passenger trucks that are buses that do not need to be equipped with seat belts as announced by the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport.
However, the taxi driver or in the case of passenger vans If the state does not issue a law to waive the enforcement of this measure on such vehicles. The question that arises is whether it is the duty of parents, drivers or operators to provide child safety seats. And if there is a violation, who will be liable? This is not counting the case of passengers who use the service to request a ride through the application. (Application) that is popular today. In addition, even intercity buses are considered cars that must be equipped with seat belts. But there are different types of seat belts installed in intercity buses. And not all seat belts currently used by law for intercity bus operators are compatible with child seats.
While in some countries, such as Singapore, there are clear exceptions for certain types of public transport. This includes taxis that are exempt from child seat requirements. As it is not possible to carry a variety of different sizes of child safety seats. or call service through the application will not be exempt from such Parents are therefore obliged to carry child safety seats with them and the responsibility for any offenses or fines for non-compliance falls on the parents. while Australia In order to use the taxi, parents are required to carry a child safety seat. Or you can ask the taxi to arrange child safety seats in advance. This requires taxis to have at least one anchorage point for child safety seats, although they are not obligated to provide child safety seats.
• Ability to pay. (Affordability) of the people
This provision has caused widespread controversy as to whether Has this law been issued through careful and rigorous hearing of the stakeholders? In particular, there have been studies on whether Thai people in general are able to afford to buy child safety seats or not. Due to the high price of child safety seats with prices ranging from 3,000-20,000 baht
While many countries have implemented measures to help people buy child safety seats at a lower price, such as the United Kingdom. The state has put in place incentives and aids to citizens through a 5 percent reduction in VAT rates for child seats under 12 years old or under 135 centimeters tall. The Transport Minister has announced an exemption from import duty on child safety seats and announced a reduction in excise tax from 10 percent to 5 percent, as well as in the Czech Republic, where the tax rate has been reduced from 21 percent to 15 percent for seats. For children as it is necessary equipment for safe travel
from concerns and uncertainties in law enforcement. There are two parts that the state needs to expedite: 1. Make this provision more effective and more certain to be enforced. In order to achieve the true intent of enacting this provision is the safety of young passengers. 2. Help the general public to have access to child safety seats. without being too burdensome
• The next course of action for the state is
Correct use of child safety seats should be promoted. It may provide a guideline or detailed instructions for users on what kind of vehicle can install the device and where it should be installed.
In addition, under Article 123 paragraph three, states must declare exceptions to any type of vehicle that does not need to be equipped with a child safety seat. child To ensure law enforcement is certain, standardized and does not allow for interpretation.
The law must clearly state who is responsible for providing child safety seats. And who is liable for breaking the law? and if forced to use child safety seats on intercity buses States must also review the seat belt standards that allow operators to install them.
Finally, relevant agencies must have certification and verification of child safety seats in accordance with international standards UNR44 and R129 in order to ensure that the equipment is safe and suitable for use.
The Road Traffic Act (No. 13), B.E. 2022, requires children to sit in a child safety seat while traveling in a car. Its main objective is to reduce the fatality and injury rates on the roads. However, the measure raises concerns about higher equipment prices than Thai people. “ordinary” will be able to buy and lack of information on the correct use of child safety seats. as well as the lack of determining the type of car suitable for use in the period of 120 days before this law is enforced, therefore “Duties of government agencies” Provide information to the public on the use of safety seats.
To ensure the safety of children truly Must determine the exact type of vehicle that is applicable. as well as to find ways for people to have general access to child safety seats
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