Being able to provide car rides with children on both fast and travel is very satisfying. This, coupled with the practicality of using the car in a child's busy routine, keeps parents from giving up their children everywhere on this mode of transportation.
But you must be careful to transport children in the car the right way, not only to comply with the law, but to ensure traffic safety.
According to the Ministry of Health, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and 14 in Brazil and much of the lethal nature of these accidents for this group is due to the inadequate way that many children are still transported in automobiles.
Protection of children in the car
Brazilian law requires, in addition to the seat belt for adults, the use of child safety devices, as they have some structures still in formation and may suffer greater damage in accidents if they are not adequately protected.
The devices that can save the lives of children are the well-known child seats, also called ASI, Child Safety Seats, which should be used on any route, regardless of the distance to be traveled.
Many parents think that the mechanisms required by law are excessive protection and that if the driver is prudent, there will be no braking and sharp bends, no bumps and therefore ASI are unnecessary.
But it is important to understand that these safety seats not only protect children in the event of an accident, but also prevent them from being insightful and expose the occupants of the vehicle to dangerous situations while traveling by opening doors and windows, standing, circling or getting out of the car, or even moving the steering wheel or gearshift, for example. Using the safety seat is as important as keeping the car organized and free from dangerous sharp objects near children.
Anyone who breaks the law, driving children in the car without ASI, is subject, under the Brazilian Traffic Code, to a high fine and loss of seven points in the driver's license.
Properly Using Child Safety Seats and Protecting Children
There are three types of seats that can ensure the safety of children: baby comfort, car seats and lift seats. According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, to choose the correct seat is necessary to consider the weight and age of the child:
- Baby comfort: protects children under nine pounds and under the age of one and should be secured to the car by seat belt, rear seat and with the back to the windscreen;
- Seat: should be used by children who can already sit alone, at least one year old, and fastened in the back seat of the car by the seat belt, positioned in front of the car.
- Lift Seat: These are for children over 18 pounds but still need a support that fits the position of the three points of the belt on the body.
There are adaptable car seats that can be used initially in the same way as the baby comfort at first and subsequently in the position of the car seat;
According to Dr. Sergio Oliveira, professor of pediatrics at the Department of Medicine of the State University of Maringá, not using the seats amounts to neglecting the need for child safety, which can be child abuse.
Therefore, do not be fooled by your child's dissatisfaction with the use of this device, as it is slightly uncomfortable as a guarantee of safety and good education in traffic. Children using safety seats will probably be responsible adults who will understand the importance of seat belts as well.
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