From 18 to 2

In January–August 2020, alongside a decrease in the number of road traffic accidents involving children, the number of child fatalities increased.

46.7% of children were involved in road traffic accidents as vehicle passengers. At the same time, 48.4% of underage passengers were transported in violation of established rules.

Few parents know how to choose a child car seat from the wide range of passive vehicle safety devices available on the current market for automotive goods. It should be noted that this is a very serious task, which must be approached with the utmost responsibility. Statistical studies conducted over the past few years confirm that a large number of child passengers die annually from various injuries sustained as a result of road traffic accidents.

In most cases, it was found that specially designed car seats were not used for their protection, the use of which significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident.

Children who are not seated in a special car seat during a trip are highly likely to sustain significant injuries to their limbs and internal organs in the event of a frontal or head-on collision, often leading to a fatal outcome. Even a minor accident is much more dangerous for young children than for adults. This can be explained as follows: the smaller the child, the weaker their neck ligaments and muscle fibres. In the event of sudden braking or impact, the spine of a young passenger experiences multiple overloads, which lead to fractures.

Please note! A child not secured in a special car seat sustains numerous bodily injuries during a road traffic accident caused by impacts with the car's windows and interior components. All the aforementioned negative consequences resulting from various emergency situations can only be avoided by installing a high-quality child car seat that meets all modern safety standards and regulations.

First and foremost, a child must be weighed, as it is weight, not age as many believe, that is the main criterion for choosing a car seat.

Please note! It is strictly forbidden to transport a child in a car seat that does not correspond to their weight category.

Lowest price category. Inexpensive child car seats lack harnesses for securing the child, side protection, armrests, and headrests. It should be understood that cheap car seats cannot guarantee adequate protection for the child.
The next price category includes more comfortable child seats. Such models have side protection and developed headrests that can effectively support the baby's head in case of lateral impact. Additionally, they are equipped with securing harnesses, which provide an additional advantage to the safety system.
The third category of child car seats differs from the previous ones by the presence of the following technical features:

Improved side protection system against various impacts.
Smooth backrest recline adjustment (has multiple positions).
Extendable adjustable footrests.

Child car seats are divided into several groups. First and foremost, when choosing a car seat, it is necessary to consider the child's weight; age is of secondary importance. Today, the international classification of child car seats is in effect:

- Group 0 (up to 9 kg) and 0+ (up to 13 kg);

- Group 0-1 (up to 18 kg);

- Group 1 (9 - 18 kg);

- Group 1-2 (9 - 22 kg);

- Group 1-2-3 (9 - 36 kg);

- Group 2-3 (15 - 36 kg);

- Group 3 (22 - 36 kg).

It should be taken into account that the more age categories covered by a group, the more disadvantages the seat will have. This is precisely why specialised models significantly surpass universal ones in terms of safety and ease of use.

Car bassinets of Groups 0 and 0+

These car bassinets are designed for children from birth. They differ from other seats in their dimensions. Lightweight models of Group 0 with small dimensions can serve you for a maximum of 9 months. The weight of such a bassinet is low, so it is convenient to simply carry the child in them. Slightly more spacious bassinets are Group 0+ bassinets – a child can travel in such a seat up to one year old, sometimes up to eighteen months, depending on the child's build. Such a bassinet weighs 4-6 kg, therefore, carrying a child in it will no longer be possible.

Child car seats of Group 0-1

Your baby's weight is 6-8 kilograms, their muscles are strong enough – then a car seat belonging to the universal group 0-1 will be more suitable for you. Such models can be installed both rear-facing and forward-facing, i.e., in the direction of the car's movement. Such car seats are suitable for children weighing 9-10 kilograms, as well as for older children aged 3-4 years. Car seats in this category have a multi-stage recline adjustment, so even if the child gets tired and falls asleep on the road, the seat can easily be moved to a semi-reclined position with a simple movement.

Group 1 Child Car Seats

Group 1 car seats are ideal for children weighing 9-12 kilograms who can sit well. The angle of the seat shell in these models has a separate adjustment for the awake/sleep positions, which distinguishes them from universal models. The solid construction, which is much more reliable than a seat and backrest separated, is also a positive quality and contributes to good safety. The internal volume of car seats in this category is larger than in group 0-1.

Child Car Seats Group 1-2-3

Another group of child car seats are transformers, or group 1-2-3 car seats. They are suitable for children weighing from 13-15 kilograms. These seats combine three weight categories. If the child weighs up to 15-198 kilograms, they need to be secured with the internal harnesses, and the seat itself is attached to the car using the vehicle's seat belts. If the child weighs more than the specified kilograms, the internal harnesses are removed, and the child and the car seat are secured together using the vehicle's seat belts. If the child weighs over 22 kilograms and their shoulders no longer fit within the car seat, some models allow for the backrest to be removed. Thus, a group 2 child car seat transitions into a group 3 seat, and from there into a group 3 booster seat.

Naturally, parents' lives become significantly easier when they purchase a universal car seat for their child. However, in terms of safety, this category is considerably inferior to group 1 and group 2 car seats. It is highly undesirable to remove the backrest and headrest, as these are precisely what provide side head support for the child while they are resting.

Child Car Seats Group 1-2

Group 1-2 child car seats are very uncommon and are predominantly offered by Chinese manufacturers. They are designed for children.

whose weight is within the range of 9-22 kilograms. This category is represented by seats that externally resemble category 1 car seats, however, their internal volume is even larger, which does not add to the safety of transporting young children.

Child Car Seats Group 2-3

Car seats of groups 2 and 3 are used when the child's weight reaches 15-18 kilograms. Internal harnesses are absent in this category, and this is the main characteristic feature of child car seats in this category. In a frontal collision, as with adults, protection is provided by the standard car seat belts. The seat only ensures the child is positioned at the required height, and also protects the child's head and torso in side impacts.

Responsibility for violating the rules for transporting children, i.e., transporting them without car seats or restraint devices, is stipulated by Article 18.14, Part 5 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus and entails a warning or a fine of up to four base amounts. Repeatedly within one year after the imposition of an administrative penalty - a fine of two to eight base amounts (in accordance with Article 18.14, Part 12 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus).

In order to ensure a proactive impact on road safety threats to children, and to eliminate the causes and conditions of child road traffic injuries, the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Republic of Belarus, from September 18 to 21, 2020, is conducting the republican preventive campaign "Fasten Your Children!".