Five years after Malaysia made child safety seats (child restraint systems or CRS) mandatory in private vehicles, compliance remains alarmingly low, with many parents still not taking the regulation seriously.
Despite being gazetted in January 2020 under the Road Transport Act – Motor Vehicles (Seatbelt and Child Restraint System) Rules 1978 (Amendment 2019), the regulation appears to have been largely ignored. Some motorists continue to drive with children on their laps, while others allow children to move freely in the vehicle.
According to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), CRS usage in Malaysia is only around 30%. In comparison, the rate in developed countries such as the United Kingdom exceeds 74% among parents with children aged seven and below.
Miros director-general Siti Zaharah Ishak said understanding the safety benefits of CRS is vital to increasing adoption.
“CRS is scientifically designed to protect children during a collision by distributing and absorbing impact forces,” she said. “Adult seat belts are not suitable for a child’s anatomy and can cause severe internal injuries during impact.”
Citing international research, she noted that properly installed CRS can reduce infant fatalities by up to 71%, and deaths among children aged one to four by as much as 54%.
CRS is currently mandatory for children weighing under 36kg, below 135cm in height, and under 12 years old. All units must comply with international standards UN R44 or UN R129.
However, cost remains a major barrier. A Miros study revealed that many parents, particularly from B40 households, view CRS as unaffordable and assume quality models are only accessible to higher-income families.
Other challenges include resistance from children not accustomed to CRS from an early age, incorrect installation, and compatibility issues with different vehicle models. In response, Miros introduced the FitSURE programme to help match CRS models to vehicle types. Full programme details are available on the Asean NCAP website.
Although non-compliance can result in a RM300 fine, enforcement has been gradual due to technical constraints. Siti Zaharah explained that verifying a CRS involves manual checks and specific expertise, unlike standard seat belt inspections.
She emphasised that parents should not wait for stricter enforcement before taking action.
“A child’s safety should never be delayed or driven by fear of fines—it is a matter of responsibility and love,” she said.
“To change behaviour, education, awareness and accessibility must go hand-in-hand. Parents need proper guidance, understanding and access to affordable options.”
The call serves as a reminder that safety measures are only effective when embraced as part of daily practice, not merely as legal obligations.
