26/05/2026
As a mom of two, and a doctor who has seen the devastating effect of trauma, car safety is one of the topics I am most passionate about.
Let’s look at some “not-so-much-fun facts”:
• Fewer than 7.8% of South African children travel in vehicles correctly restrained (Automobile Association, 2020)
• Transport accidents are the leading accurately recorded cause of non-natural death in children under 14 in SA. (Stats SA, 2018)
• 50% of accidents happen within an 8km radius from home, 77% of accidents within a 25km radius.
Babies and children are at particularly high risk of severe injury during a car accident, due to their disproportionately large and heavy heads, making their necks and spinal cords more vulnerable to trauma.
So what does the South African law say?
As per Regulation 213 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA May 2015):
1. It is illegal for children 3 years to travel in a car seat, but is required to be at least strapped securely with a seatbelt, or in a car seat/booster seat if one is available.
What about international best practice?
International guidelines advise rear facing as long as possible: at least until age 2, but ideally up until age 4.
Some studies have shown rear facing seats to be x5 safer than forward facing seats up to 2 years, with benefits persisting beyond 2.
Keep in mind that different car seats have different rear facing limits (maximum weight/height of child), which should not be exceeded.
Is it safe for a child to sit on the front seat?
• South African law does not prohibit placing a child on the front seat, but the back seat is always safest for a child
