Child passenger safety: regulations and risks in Chile and Spain

Authorities in Chile and Spain are emphasizing the critical importance of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) to prevent fatalities and injuries during vehicle travel.

In Chile, traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 14. Data from 2025 indicates that 20 children under the age of 9 died in traffic incidents within 48 hours of an accident, with most not using a CRS. A 2024 CONASET study found that only 35% of children under 9 in private vehicles used a CRS, and nearly 90% of those who did used them incorrectly. Dr. Sergio Rendich of the Chilean Society of Pediatrics warns that proper selection, installation, and fastening according to manufacturer instructions are essential to prevent ejection and serious injury.

In Spain, the Guardia Civil and local police are intensifying enforcement of road safety laws. Regulations mandate that any child 135 centimeters or shorter must use an approved CRS adapted to their height and weight. Violations are considered serious, carrying a 200 euro fine and a four-point deduction from the driver's license for each child improperly secured. A recent incident in Navarra saw a vehicle carrying nine occupants in a five-seater car, resulting in over 900 euros in total fines for excessive occupancy, lack of CRS for four minors, and improper luggage stowage.