The NSW Government released new child car seat ratings, assisting parents to choose the safest seat for their child. 

13 child car seats were tested through the Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) to measure their crash protection performance and ease-of-correct-use.

CREP awarded a star rating of one to five being the safest. According to the Government, all seats tests comply with Australian legal standards, but there is a vast difference in the quality of protection they offer. 

Three simulated crash tests, including the frontal impact, side impact and the oblique impact test were held.

Six seats received one-star for protection including Maxi- Cosi Citi (rear facing), Max- Cosi Luna (forward facing), Babylove Cosmic 11 (forward facing), Infa-Secure Luxi 11 (forward facing), and Infa Secure Grandeur Treo (forward facing).

Nuna Klik (rear facing) scored a maximum of five stars for protection and Safe-N-Sound Kid Guar Pro scored four stars for both protection and ease-of-use.

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the new star ratings will help to remove confusion for parents.

“Every parent wants the best for their kids. This new star system will make that decision straight forward,” Ms Pavey said.

NRMA Road Safety Expert Dimitra Vlahomitros said a concern was ensuring the seats were installed and used correctly.

“These ratings should help improve the quality of seats for sale by encouraging manufacturers to work on raising the safety and ease-of-use rating of their products to five stars,” Ms Vlahomitros said.

For more information about ratings and restraint fitting stations, visit www.childcarseats.com.au