Nearly 300 people in the CQ police region were fined during 2020 for failing to ensure their children were safely secured in the vehicle.

Police and the RACQ have released new statistics showing a shocking trend on Queensland roads which they say ‘could led to the unthinkable’.

The RACQ has issued disturbing statistics about children travelling unsecured in vehicles during 2020

The latest data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, analysed by RACQ, revealed more than 1700 people were fined for restraint related offences involving children in 2020 in Queensland.

Of them, 270 were within the Central Region police zone which extends from Bowen in the north to Beerwah in the south.

Statistics specific to towns in the zone were not available.

An RACQ spokesperson said police pulled over cars in which even tiny babies were unrestrained.

Lauren Ritchie said drivers in the Southern police region, which included Toowoomba, were the worst offenders with more than 480 people caught with unrestrained children under 16.

“It’s disturbing so many drivers are risking the lives of babies and children. Failing to make sure they’re safely restrained could led to the unthinkable in a crash,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Police caught drivers either incorrectly restraining their child, having their child in an incorrect restraint or some not having their child buckled up at all.

“With school holidays upon us and many families planning to get away, we want to remind parents and caregivers they must make sure their children are buckled up properly. Aside from the obvious tragic consequences, they also risk a $400 fine and three demerit points.”

Ms Ritchie urged parents to ensure their children were also in the correct restraint for their age.

“Once your child is seven years old it doesn’t automatically mean they should come out of a booster seat,” she said.

“They should be 145 centimetres tall, so the seatbelt is able to secure them in a crash. Check the shoulder height markers on the restraints to see when it’s time to upgrade.

“Babies under six months of age need to be in a rear facing restraint, but best practice is to keep them rear facing for as long as possible, up to two years old.”