NT Motor Accidents Compensation Commission

There is strong support in the community for the program.

Newly trained fitters from Mabunji fit the first child restraint following the launch with McArthur River Mine's Ryan Pascoe.

Representatives from MACC, McArthur River Mine, Mabunji, Kidsafe and NT Police at the launch.

Listen to the radio ad made by Borroloola School students to promote the program.

Buckle up Borroloola is a pilot program to see if a concerted effort in one largely Indigenous community can make a difference to people's behaviours when it comes to keeping children safe in cars.

The program is a joint initiative of MACC, McArthur River Mine (MRM) and Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, with support from Kidsafe NT and Northern Territory Police.

Research in Borroloola in mid 2016 revealed up to 65 per cent of children under seven were travelling in vehicles without proper child restraints. This is despite it being a legal requirement to use an approved child restraint for all children up to seven years old. 

Reasons for non-compliance include vehicle overcrowding, cost and availability of restraints, lack of qualified fitters and apathy. Another issue is that children often travel in cars owned by friends or relatives who do not have child restraints fitted.

Buckle Up Borroloola overcomes the issues of cost, access and lack of qualified fitters. Anyone who regularly carries children under seven in their car is able to have an approved child restraint installed by an accredited fitter for just $20 at a Mabunji office.

Buckle Up Borroloola resources:

• Read our media release
• Download FAQs about the program
• Listen to the radio ad