17/07/2019

Inspectors from Montevideo received training on child restraint systems

Thirty inspectors from the Municipality of Montevideo were trained in the use of child restraint systems in vehicles. The activity was led by Mathías Silva, Training Manager of the Gonchi Rodríguez Foundation.

This conference, which took place at the Center for Departmental Studies, was coordinated by the new Accident and Injury Unit of the commune -created this year- and the Gonchi Rodriguez Foundation. With this last training and several previous instances, there are already 100 inspectors trained in the subject.

The knowledge incorporated and reaffirmed in this instance will be used by the inspectors in their daily work in the streets of Montevideo. The Department of Mobility will intensify controls on the use of Child Restraint Systems for children under 12.

Actions will include advising motorists on the use of appropriate seats, according to the weight and age of the children, as well as monitoring the effective use of the child restraint system (SRE).

The use of a correct CRS reduces up to 75% of the probability of death and 90% of serious injuries in the event of a claim. Children should travel in the rear row of the car, with the center seat being the safest, where the CRS should be installed.

Location in that area reduces injuries in the event of a side impact.

The harness or restraint system used and the headrest must be properly adjusted, taking into consideration the user's body.

For added safety, it is recommended that children travel in reverse gear up to 18 months of age, as this practice reduces the likelihood of sustaining significant injury in an accident by a factor of five. In this case, the backrest should be separated from the front seat by approximately two centimetres.

There are four categories of child restraint systems that are adapted to body characteristics.

CRSs (cat. 0, 0+ and 1) must be installed at 30 or 45 degrees of vertical inclination, which minimises the effects on the body in the event of an accident.

If there are more than three children in the vehicle, it is recommended that the youngest child be placed in the center seat, the oldest on the left side and the middle-aged child on the right.

It should be taken into account that the CRS is certified and its anchorage system to the vehicle should be checked (ISOFIX, LATCH or two or three point seat belt, which will depend on the category of CRS to be used).

Transferring children with a correct CRS is mandatory according to Law 19.061 that complements the Traffic Law (enacted on January 6, 2013 and regulated by Decree No. 81/014 of April 3, 2014).

The fines proposed in the regulation range from 0.5 to 5 UR. These penalties are without prejudice to the civil and criminal liabilities set out in the National Road Traffic Regulations.