KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) has launched Singapore’s first newborn car seat loan programme to reduce child road traffic injuries.
The programme, rolled out in March 2025, allows parents to loan a car seat for their baby’s first year. Doctors stress that proper restraints significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries in road accidents.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr Ronald Tan, Senior Consultant at KKH’s Department of Emergency Medicine, emphasised the importance of proper restraints in preventing severe injuries.
“Many of the injuries could be prevented with the right precautions. The need for families to have greater awareness about the effectiveness of car seats in saving lives has never been more crucial.” Dr Tan said.
Medical Channel Asia spoke to ROADS.sg, a Singapore-based road safety organisation dedicated to fostering better driving habits and promoting safer roads for all users. A ROADS.sg spokesperson praised the initiative and highlighted the shared responsibility of all road users. “This programme is a fantastic step towards protecting our youngest passengers.”
The Need for Child Car Seats
A study of 1,483 children and adolescents involved in road accidents found that more than half were not secured in a child car seat at the time. Another study highlighted gaps in parental knowledge, with some caregivers unsure of how to install seats correctly or questioning their effectiveness. Cost and inconvenience were also cited as reasons for non-compliance.
Dr Tan noted that many of the cases he sees involve serious injuries, which can have lifelong consequences.
“Every year, we treat approximately 400 children for injuries from road traffic accidents. Many of these – especially to the head, spinal cord and internal organs – are far more severe when the child isn’t using a proper car seat.”
Bringing Baby Home Safely
Expectant parents can register for the programme during their antenatal check-ups at KKH or sign up online. Once enrolled, they will receive a confirmation and be scheduled to collect the car seat by their third-trimester check-up. This allows parents time to familiarise themselves with the seat and ensure proper installation before the baby’s arrival.
To support safe usage, KKH provides educational video resources and access to a Child Passenger Safety Expert, who offers guidance on installation and securing infants correctly. Parents can also receive hands-on demonstrations to help them understand how to use the car seat effectively.
The loan period lasts for one year, after which parents return the car seat to KKH. To encourage continued use of child restraints, participants will receive a subsidy towards purchasing the next appropriate car seat for their growing child.
A Collective Effort to Keep Children Safe on the Road
Despite laws requiring children below 1.35 metres to be secured in an appropriate car seat, studies show that many parents still do not comply. Some underestimate the risks, while others cite inconvenience or cost as barriers. Yet, in an accident, an unrestrained child can suffer severe, life-altering injuries.
Beyond enforcement, ensuring that all families have access to car seats is equally important. Recognising this, organisations have stepped in to support the initiative. Komoco Motors, known for its commitment to vehicle safety, has sponsored the car seats to remove financial barriers for parents.
“This project holds a special place for us as we believe that mobility on the road should be safe for all road users, and children who are defenceless in these situations must be well protected.” said Tracy Teo, Marketing Director of Komoco Motors.
ROADS.sg echoed the sentiments and reinforced the importance of community involvement in road safety.
“Every road user has a part to play in protecting children. Whether you’re a parent, a pedestrian, or another driver on the road, creating a safe environment is a collective effort.”
Keeping Children Safe Beyond the First Year
Car seats provide the best protection for young passengers, but their effectiveness depends on proper use at every stage of a child’s growth. Many parents transition too early or stop using restraints altogether, increasing the risk of severe injury in an accident.
A rear-facing seat should be used for at least the first two years, followed by a forward-facing seat with a harness, and then a booster seat with a seatbelt until the child is at least 1.35 metres tall.
To encourage continued use, parents who return the loaned car seat when their child turns one will receive a subsidy towards purchasing the next appropriate seat.
Dr Tan highlighted the importance of choosing the right restraint for each stage of development.
“Car seats are specifically designed to accommodate a child’s size and weight, offering the best protection as they grow. It’s important for parents to transition their child to the appropriate car seat as they reach each developmental milestone, ensuring continued safety throughout their childhood.”
With all 300 car seats from the first phase of the programme fully redeemed as of 3 March 2025, the strong response highlights growing awareness of child road safety. While sign-ups are currently closed, experts continue to urge parents to prioritise car seat use.
ROADS.sg spokesperson reiterated the importance of sustained road safety efforts and hopes that this initiative sparks greater awareness and encourages all parents and drivers to prioritise safety for children every single day.
“Road safety isn’t only about parents using car seats – it’s about all drivers being mindful, patient, and responsible on the road to create a safer environment for all.”.
