The Expert will be specific knowledgeable people at the Department of Transport, Arrive Alive Communications,
the Road Traffic Management Corporation or others who might have the expertise to answer the question.
08 Aug 2007
Question
I have a query: is it legal in South Africa to have a forward-facing child
car seat (for a child of 2 years old) in the FRONT seat of a car (that has
no airbags)?
Answer
No, it is not illegal to fit a forward facing child restraint (child seat) in the front seat of a vehicle (with or without airbags).
It is, actually, STUPID / DANGEROUS to fit a front facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle with airbags (even in the back seat where airbags deploy from the back of the front seat).
The law does not refer to type or placement of a child restraint (child car seat). The law states: if a child restraint is available, the child must be secured in it (no mention as to where or how fitted).
Airbags / lack there-of is not mentioned with regard to seatbelts or child restraints.
The manufacturers specifications and guidelines for fitting are what should be followed.
Back
