On the 25 July 2010 at 1.45pm, a mother was ferrying her 3 children along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) when she lost control of her car. The vehicle skidded before colliding into the side railings of the expressway.

Her 3 year-old son who was seated at the front passenger seat was without a child restraint seat. Her two daughters aged 11 and 13, were seated at the rear passenger seats. All three children were conveyed to hospital by ambulance following the accident. It was a touch of good fortune that the children did not suffer serious injury, and were discharged from KK hospital after receiving outpatient treatment.

Drivers, especially parents, have a responsibility to ensure the safety of young children travelling in their vehicles. The lives of young children are endangered unnecessarily whenever proper child restraint seats are not used. The simple act of using child restraint seats can prevent serious injury and save lives in the event of an accident.

An approved child restraint or child seat is required if a child below 8 years old is travelling in a motor vehicle (be it as a front or rear seat passenger). In addition, the child restraint must be of an appropriate size to fit the child's height and weight. Drivers, as well as their front and rear seat adult passengers travelling in a motor vehicle are also required to wear seat belts.

Any driver who fails to belt up or ensure that the adult or child passenger is belted up commits an offence under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Wearing of Seat Belts) Rules and is liable to a composition fine of S$120/- and 3 demerit points. If charged in court, a person shall be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of up to 3 months and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of up to $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months.