Safety of Children

Statistics of accidents prove that children are generally safer on the rear seats than on the front passenger seat. We recommend that children under 12 years of age be transported on the rear seats.

Depending on age, height and weight, children should all be secured to the rear seats by a child seat or by the available seat belts. The child seat should be installed on the rear seat behind the front passenger seat so that the children can exit from the car on the kerb side.

The law of physics in an accident also applies to children. Contrary to adults, the muscles and bone structure are not fully developed in children. Therefore the children are exposed to greater risks of injury.

To reduce this risk, children shall always use special child seats when travelling.

We recommend using the child seats offered in the Volkswagen accessory programme. Child seats for all age groups are offered under the trade name “BOBSY”. The child seats have been developed and tested for all cars offered by Volkswagen.

The instruction provided by the respective manufacture of the child seats are to be observed for the installation and use of the seats.

We recommend placing the instruction manual for the child seats in your vehicle wallet so that it is readily available in the car at all times.

Safety hints on using child seats

The correct use of the child seat reduces the danger of injury considerably. As the driver, you are responsible for any children in your car.

What do you have to observe?

• Protect the children by fitting appropriate child seats and the correct use of them.
• Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned according to the instruction of the manufacturer of the child seats.
• Do not allow children to distract you from the traffic.
• Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least every two hours.
• Never install a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat unless the airbag has been disabled – Danger to life and limb!
• Should you have to transport a child in exceptional cases on the front passenger seat, make sure that the air bag is disabled.
• All occupants – in particular children – must be seated in the proper sitting position during the trip and also have the belt fastened correctly.
• Never hold babies or children on your lap – a danger to life and limb.
• Never allow your child to be transported in the car without being properly secured or to stand up or kneel on the seat. In an accident, your child will be flung through the vehicle causing life threatening injuries to him/her or the other passengers.
• If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving, they expose themselves to greater risk during a sudden breaking manoeuvre or accident. This applies in particular to children traveling on the front passenger seat and the air bag system is triggered in an accident. This could result in life threatening and fatal injuries.
• A suitable child seat can protect your child!
• Never leave the child unsupervised in a child seat or alone in the car.
• Observe that life threatening temperatures may occur in a parked car.
• Children below 1.50 m height shall not be secured with a standard seat belt without a child seat as this may cause injuries to the abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.
• The correct belt webbing is of great importance for optimal protection.
• Incorrectly worn seat belts may cause injuries even in a minor accident or sudden braking manoeuvre.
• The belt webbing must not become twisted or jammed, or to rub on any sharp edges.
• Only one child shall occupy a child seat with the seat belt fastened.

The above recommendations are general recommendations by Volkswagen AG. Please always observe local New Zealand safety and legal requirements.

Visit www.ltsa.govt.nz for further information.