Victoria police release makeshift car seat picture

Police in Victoria have released a shocking image of a home made car seat.

Preston police shared the image after they intercepted a car whilst conducting a random test. They saw that two teenagers in the back of a car weren’t wearing a seatbelt, but when they pulled the driver over they were shocked to find out the reason - the belts were being used to “restrain” a baby in a car seat.

The “seat” was a rocker which was strapped down by the belts. The makeshift seat was breaching Australian rules, which state that:

Children aged less than six months must use an approved rearward facing restraint such as a baby capsule.

Children aged between six months and under four years must use an approved rearward facing child restraint or a forward facing restraint.

Children aged between four years and under seven years must use an approved forward facing restraint OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

A Victoria Police spokesperson told 9Honey: “Police made the mother who was the front seat passenger exit the vehicle with the child while the driver went and purchased an approved child restraint. 

“The driver has been issued with 3 infringement notices for unrestrained passengers valued at $900 and 9 demerit points.”

The force are now urging other parents not to make the same mistake, for the safety of their own children. “Police believe this was a small price to pay for what could have been a disastrous scenario had the vehicle been involved in a collision,” they said.