Road safety

Car restraints

To create safer roads, the City aims to increase the number of parents and carers who use correctly-fitted child car restraints. A few statistics about transport related injuries:

  • In WA, transport-related injury is a leading cause of death and serious injury in children aged 0 - 14 years  (Injury Control Program, 1997)
  • Approximately 200 people are killed and 15,000 seriously injured in road crashes each year in WA, with non-use of seat belts a major contributor
  • Between 1990 and 1999, 33 per cent of drivers and passengers killed in road crashes in WA were not wearing seat belts. (Henstridge et al, 2000)
  • In WA, between 1993 and 2003 an average of nine child passengers died each year; 186 were hospitalised and 200 presented with injuries from vehicle crashes.

Visit the RoadWise website for a comprehensive list of local Accredited Type 1 Fitters available to check or fit your child car restraints here.

The City’s child restraint fitting and checking service is currently suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.

How to use child car restraints correctly

When choosing a restraint, it is important to consider the weight and size of the child who will be using it.

Please read the requirements below:

Anchorage points

  • Anchorage points are specifically designed for securing a restraint’s top tether strap
  • They should be directly behind and in the centre of the restraint
  • Anchorage points are not located in the same position in all vehicles, so check your car manual to find out where they are
  • If your car does not have any, you must get them fitted by an accredited type 2 fitter.

For a list of authorised child car fitting stations, please visit the Department of Transport 

Top tether strap

To adjust the top tether strap correctly:

  • Push the device firmly against the seat squab
  • Make sure that it is not so tight that the restraint lifts off the seat.

Most straps are not twisted, although some child car restraint manufacturers install a twist in the top tether strap.

Check your restraint manual for correct use of the strap.

Harness straps

  • Harness straps should be adjusted so that only one finger can be inserted between the child’s body and the strap
  • Shoulder harness straps should be as close as possible to the top of the child’s shoulders, with no more than a 25mm variation above or below shoulder level
  • When the child’s shoulder level is above the top-most shoulder harness slot and/or the child’s eyes are level with the top of the restraint back, you must move the child to the next appropriately-sized restraint
  • Do not use a child harness if the child’s shoulders are above the top of the seat back or headrest.

Lap-and-sash seat belt

  • The lap section of an adult seat belt should fit across the child’s hips and be firmly adjusted
  • The sash section of the adult seat belt should fit across the child’s torso

If it cuts into the child’s neck, ear or face then a sash locator or other approved means of altering the seatbelt should be used to bring it to the correct position.

Grated buckle

A grated buckle (also known as a 3-bar slide), is a device to fit the lap-sash belt comfortably across the child’s body. It can also be used for converting an adult lap-sash seat belt into the equivalent of a lap belt for use with a child restraint.

Extension strap

Attached to the upper tether strap and can be used in situations where the restraint is a long way from the anchorage points. Make sure the attachment clip is positioned behind the vehicle seat back.

Sash locater

A sash locater can be used to hold the sash section of the seat belt away from the child’s neck or to hold the seat belt up on the shoulder.

Anchor brackets

Anchor brackets need an anchor bolt, anchor fitting, spacers, reinforcing washer, lock washer and securing nut to fit.

Cargo barriers

When a child restraint has been fitted to a station wagon or four-wheel drive vehicle, it is strongly recommended that a cargo barrier is installed. The cargo barrier must have gaps designed for tether straps to pass through and should be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear.

Restraint positioning

Research has shown that children are much safer in a vehicle when they sit in the back seat.

  • The safest position is usually in the centre of the back seat
  • If the seat cannot be used, the next best position is the rear passenger side
  • In some cases, you can place a folded towel under the base of a rear facing restraint. This will adjust any excessive slope or contouring and offer a better angle of recline for the restraint and the child.

A vehicle’s front seat should not be used for a child car restraint. Capsule restraints require 50mm clearance from the front seats, and convertible restraints in a rear facing position can have as little as one finger-width clearance.

Speeding

In an effort to combat speeding in our community, the City has developed specific initiatives and campaigns which the public can get involved with.

Safe speed promise initiative

The initiative asks residents to sign a ‘safe speed promise’ and commit to driving within the speed limit while being a courteous driver. The safe speed promise works like a treaty between neighbourhoods, and states that ‘we will act as a guest in your neighbourhood if you act as a guest in ours’. The City will provide a bumper sticker and fridge magnet for residents who sign the pledge, so they are easily identifiable and can set an example for other motorists to follow.

When safe speed promise-drivers slow down, they reduce their car’s impact on the communities they drive through and encourage other cars to do the same. This can also reduce their stress levels, encourage connection to the communities they travel through, and create a more relaxed lifestyle. This enriches the entire culture of our City.

How to make the safe speed promise:

  • Drive within the speed limit on all streets 
  • Be courteous to pedestrians, cyclists and all other road users 
  • Display a ‘safe speed’ sticker on vehicles to show your commitment.

To commit to driving with in the speed limit, please fill in the Community Safe Speed Promise online form or phone our Customer Contact Centre on (08) 9205 8555.

The funding for the ‘safe speed promise’ project was provided by the Community Road Safety Grants Program which is funded by the Road Trauma Trust Fund administered by the Road Safety Council.

‘Please slow down, consider our kids’ bin stickers

The ‘Please slow down, consider our kids’ bin stickers are an initiative developed in 2005 for the City’s ‘Drop 5 and save lives’ campaign.

One day a week, the stickers act as a speeding deterrent by providing a visual cue telling motorists to reduce their speed. They provide an opportunity for householders to actively address motorists who speed in their street.

15,000 ‘Please slow down, consider our kids’ bin stickers have been distributed by volunteers, at residents' requests. In response continued requests, the City has received grant funding to purchase another 6000 bin stickers.

The City is calling for residents, community groups, schools and businesses to offer their support for the campaign. Volunteers can place the stickers on mobile garbage bins on the street’s usual rubbish collection day.

Anyone wishing to take part can collect stickers from the follow centres: 

  • City of Stirling Administration Centre
  • Dianella Library 
  • Inglewood Library 
  • Karrinyup Library 
  • Mirrabooka Library 
  • Osborne Library 
  • Scarborough Library 
  • Stirling Leisure Centres - Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre 
  • Stirling Leisure Centres - Leisurepark Balga.
erideables

eRideables

eRideables are efficient, fun, and a great alternative way to get around the City of Stirling – but did you know they have their own set of laws, different to vehicles and pedestrians? For the safety of yourself and others, make sure you are always up to date with the current rules by vising the Road Safety Commission eRideables page.

Learn more

 

School road safety

The City has initiatives to improve school road safety and how to become a school traffic warden.

Assistance for schools

It is common for schools to have traffic-management difficulties during pick-up and drop-off times. The rapid increase in vehicles and competition for parking spaces each morning and afternoon can be a problem for everyone involved. The City of Stirling aims to work with schools by developing and implementing a range of educational, environmental and engineering strategies.

There are many activities available to help manage road safety and traffic issues. Some examples include:

  • Assistance with developing parking strategies 
  • The development and implementation of road safety and parking guides for better use of facilities 
  • Promotion of walking and cycling to reduce congestion
  • Implementation of the parking warden program.

If you would like assistance with school road safety issues, please phone our Customer Contact Centre on (08) 9205 8555.

school safety

Primary school parking wardens

The City’s primary school parking warden program was implemented to help schools improve traffic flow and encourage safer parking. The program is free and available to all schools.

A parking warden is a parent, teacher or resident who volunteers to keep the traffic flowing during pick-up and drop-off times. Parking wardens are especially recommended when a ‘kiss and drive’ area is in place.

Schools wishing to take part in the program need to contact the City and submit a request. Rangers will assess the school’s suitability and determine if the program is suitable. All schools with a ‘kiss and drive’ area are encouraged to participate.

If suitable, school volunteers will be trained by the rangers to become parking wardens. Once training is complete, a roster is created and the parking wardens can begin their work. The City will liaise with the school regularly to monitor progress and offer help as required.

Interested in becoming a school traffic warden?

The WA Police want to establish a pool of traffic wardens to fill current and future vacancies across the metropolitan area. Eleven-month renewable contract opportunities are available.

Traffic wardens ensure safe pedestrian access (mainly for primary school-age children) across carriageways.

Full training and a uniform are provided and remuneration is $18.54 per hour, which includes 20 per cent casual loading, plus laundry allowance of $0.60 per week. A motor vehicle allowance is also payable under certain conditions.

Standard crossing times are every Monday to Friday during school terms, consisting of one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon.

Applicants must have:

  • A current WA driver’s licence
  • Access to a vehicle.

If successful, applicants must also complete a:

  • Health assessment
  • Criminal check
  • Working with Children card application.

You may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $70 for your health assessment on completion of one month’s work as a traffic warden (receipt required).

To apply to be a traffic warden, please contact the State Warden Traffic Unit on (08) 6274 8731 or email on traffic.warden.state.management.unit@police.wa.gov.au.