Carseats/tether straps n bolts etc

Are tether straps and bolts compulsory? In other words do you HAVE to use them? Is it law?

I thought you HAD to use them but lately I have seen a lot of other mums who aren't using them, rear facing or forward facing in carseats...

We have been having a lot of trouble with our car and one mechanic has told us our car may be too old to have the bolt installed but another one has said it can be done.
I know it is the safest thing to do to have it, but lately I am just wondering why all these other families aren't bothering?

Do you use your tether strap and bolt?

I *think* that if your carseat has them you have to use them.

Tether straps

Some child restraints have upper tether straps. This means that they still use the vehicle's safety belts, but also have a strap that must be clipped onto an anchor point in the vehicle. Anchor points are usually on the rear parcel tray, or, in the case of station wagons, on the floor behind the rear seats.

If there aren't any anchor points in your vehicle, you have two options:

   1. Install an anchor point in your vehicle. You can buy one from most places that sell child restraints and baby supplies. They come with instructions, but if you're not confident your local car mechanic will be able to install the anchor point.
   2. Use a child restraint that's designed to work without upper tether straps.

I think that basically the ones that have the tether straps are only safety tested with the tether straps in place so if you're not using them then there is no guarantee that the car seat/capsule would be safe in an accident,..

My carseat has a tether strap but it says to only use it for forward facing NOT rear facing - so the other ones you've seen might be like that too?

Might check my instructions again lol, pretty sure it said to use them, but could have been for just forward facing...!

I've seen forward facing ones without them too!

Was just talking about it to DP and when the carseat is rear facing it only just fits with the seat all the way forward in the front so no way it's going anywhere.

If your car seat has one you should be using it. It means that the car seatbelt alone isnt enough in the event of an accident. I personally wouldnt by a carseat without one.

They are a PITA but I dont mind, better to be safe than sorry IMO

That's true, better to be safe than sorry! They are a pita and I always joke that the person who designed it clearly didn't have kids...

Thanks heaps, looks like we'll do a car swap with my mum then!

We've worked out a way to get her in and our with out unclipping it, I probably shouldn't complain just find it a bit of a pita!

I was just wondering why people weren't using them, but will still be using ours

Am I the only person who slackens and retightens to get baby in and out or are they not all like that?

I dont undo the clip I just loosen the strap and do it back up when we put him back in...

I actually had my car seat checked last time I went through a random rego/wof check, so they are definately clamping down on it!!!! About time IMHO.