BOOSTER SEAT REQUIREMENT FOR ADULTS (Rationale)

Mr Inderjit Singh asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the rationale for enforcing a booster seat requirement for adults below 1.5 metres in height as part of the seat belt rule; and (b) whether his Ministry has ensured that the market is able to supply the booster seats.

The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, it is a misconception that adults below the height of 1.5 metres must use a booster seat. The correct position is this. Persons who are eight years or older but who are below the height of 1.5 metres are, in fact, exempted from having to belt up. It is unsafe for any person below 1.5 metres in height to wear a body restraining seat belt in a vehicle as the shoulder part of the belt would be placed against the person's neck instead of lying over the shoulder. In the event of an accident, the seat belt may strangle him or her. However, parents of children above eight years old and young teenagers who are below 1.5 metres in height, are encouraged to use booster seats to elevate the seating position of their children so that the seat belts may be strapped safely across the shoulder. For the same reason, adults below 1.5 metre in height are also encouraged to use booster seats so that they may strap up safely.

However, children below the age of eight years must be properly secured by an approved child restraint. This has been the requirement since 1993. Many parents who were concerned for the safety of their children had already purchased the child restraints. However, there were many others who started looking around for a child restraint only after Police announced that they would tighten enforcement action against those who flout the rule.

Traffic Police had anticipated the likely increase in demand for child restraints. In May this year, it had advised major retailers to keep sufficient stocks.

Traffic Police is monitoring the stock levels at major retail outlets. Child restraints are temporarily out of stock while booster seats are still available in the market. New supplies are expected in a week's time. In the meantime, Traffic Police will continue to advise motorists of the safety measures required for young passengers.

Mr Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio): Sir, I would like to confirm once again that for a child above eight years old, it is not compulsory for the child to use a booster seat or a car seat. Is that true?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Provided he is a short child. If he is below 1.5 metres in height, then he is not required to use a booster seat or a child seat. The position is this. A child who is below eight years old must use a child restraint. A child who is above eight years old, but who is below 1.5 metres, need not use a child restraint nor a booster seat, although he is encouraged to do so.