Push for cheaper child car seats

PUTRAJAYA: The Road Safety Department will be proposing that car manufacturers make child car seats part of the optional accessories for new car purchases by year-end.
Its director-general Datuk Arifin Che Mat told theSun that the department will meet stakeholders in the automotive industry after Hari Raya Aidilfitri to discuss the possibility of making the child restraining system (CRS) affordable.
"Our aim is to talk to national car manufacturers – Proton and Perodua, foreign car companies as well as child car seat distributors," he said.
Car dealers could offer attractive prices for young parents to buy the car seats for babies and toddlers when ordering a new car.
"If the car companies agree to our proposal, we believe it can increase the demand for child car seats and reduce prices," he explained.
The road safety advocate is adamant in "encouraging parents to buckle up their children while travelling" in the next 12 months.
Arifin, who was the former deputy director-general of the Road Transport Department before his promotion as Road Safety Department chief two weeks ago, has ideas for road safety programmes in the country.
"One step at a time. I want to increase awareness among parents on the importance of CRS."