For many years, the image of parents holding their children in the passenger seat, even letting them stand in the middle of the row before the car is running, has still appeared on the street. Many parents believe that "having children is the safest", that "it's just getting close, it's okay". However, science and reality of accidents have proven the opposite.
At a speed of only 50km/h - a very common situation in urban areas - the collision force could be equivalent to a fall from the 5th floor. At that time, adults could not hold a child weighing only 10-20kg. What happens in a few thousand seconds does not allow any natural reflex to save children from serious injuries. The airbag in the front seats depletes at a speed of 150-300km/h, which can directly cause damage and death to young children.
According to reputable studies published by the WHO, safety seats help reduce the risk of death in infants by 70%, reduce the risk of death in young children by 54%, and significantly reduce the level of injury in collisions.
Therefore, according to the new regulations, from January 1, 2026, children under 10 years old and under 1.35m tall will not be allowed to sit in the same row as the driver. This is not a simple technical regulation, but an important step in protecting children's lives. This is the most vulnerable group when traffic accidents occur. The mandatory use of child safety chairs is therefore not only necessary, but also something that Vietnam cannot delay any longer.
Of course, many parents are concerned about buying chairs and worrying that their children won't sit or that their families using small cars will have less space to install chairs.
These are real concerns, but each stage of the safety habit transition has experienced a similar reaction. Remember, in 2007, when we were required to wear helmets, many people objected because it was "difficult to bear", "only get close" and "concluded". However, today, wearing a hat has become an easy habit, saving tens of thousands of lives.
Children's safety will be the same, it will take time, but first of all, determination.
More importantly, the management agency has taken into account special situations such as private vehicles strictly applied from 2026. Public vehicles, taxis, and technology vehicles will have their own routes and regulations. Urgent situations such as taking children to the hospital will be considered in the direction of creating conditions, avoiding extreme situations.
A standard raising chair costs an average of 500,000 to 1.5 million VND. That price is not too expensive for a family who owns a private car. The important thing is to recognize that installing safety chairs for children is not because of "fear of being fined", but because they want their children to be safer. That awareness, when spread, will create a new, more civilized and responsible traffic habit: Installing safety seats is not for the law, but for children. Children's networks cannot bet on the luck of traffic.
