Since 1 January 2012, passengers below that height must be secured in child restraints, booster seats or adjustable seat belts while travelling in a vehicle.

First-time offenders can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to three months.

Otherwise, the wrong child restraint may be fatal or cause other injuries instead of saving the child.

Babies up to nine months, weighing up to 10kg: Infants should be placed in a rear-facing infant capsule in the back seat.

Toddlers from nine months to four years, weighing 9kg to 18kg: Younger toddlers buckled in a rear-facing car seat in the back. A forward-facing seat can be used once a child outgrows the old seat.

Older children from five to eight years, weighing 19kg to 36kg: Strapped in forward-facing car seat in the back. Adjustable seat belts should be used if they outgrow their booster seats.

According to Mr Pereira, parents should have their young children seated at the back, and try their best to avoid placing child seats in front.

If it is necessary, use rear-facing seats.

This is because the airbags in the front, while crucial to saving an adult’s life, could suffocate a child due to the explosive action.

While 10 or 11 is usually the age when children can ride safely without a booster seat, they should ideally pass the five-step test.

This test determines if it is safe for the child to use the regular seat belts in the vehicle.

At present, the law does not require passengers below 1.35m to be secured if they are seated in the back of a taxi. This also applies to buses, other than those used to ferry a child to and from school (bus owners must then install forward-facing seats with retractable three-point shoulder belts).

However, while it can be a pain to lug around their own car seats, it is a necessary practice for all parents.

But should a car seat not be available, he said parents should always ensure they wear seat belts and hold onto their infant or child tightly in the backseat.

In private hire cars, however, juniors under 1.35m do need appropriate safety restraints. Grab the new GrabFamily, which provides child booster seats for children aged 4-7 for only $2 more than your usual GrabCar fare.

Text: Lee Min Kok/Straits Times