South Australia’s Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis has expressed his support as new Australian road rules ease restrictions on purchasing car restraints for children with disabilities.
“We have removed the ban on the sale of non-standard child restraints, streamlining the process for parents and carers to obtain appropriate, safe and tailored restraints for children with a medical condition or disability,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“This removes the barriers to accessing non-standard restraints and empowers parents and carers to prioritise safety without unnecessary hurdles.”
After extensive advocacy from groups such as Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia Ltd (MACA), parents and carers will no longer be required to have their vehicle and the associated child restraint inspected, but will still need to carry a certificate from a medical practitioner when driving.
Two new parking offences have also been introduced, prohibiting non-electric cars from parking in designated electric vehicle parking areas and parking in a charging area when the vehicle is not being charged. The first offence will incur a $75 on-the-spot fine, while the second will result in a fine of $111.
Source: The Advertiser.