When can you leave a child alone in the car?
Chances are you’ve heard that leaving a child alone in a car can be catastrophic, especially on hot days. So, is there ever an acceptable time to leave them in a vehicle and, if so, at what age?
First things first, RAA advises that a child should never be left unattended in a vehicle, even for those quick dashes into the servo to pay for fuel. However, it’s not actually illegal to leave a child alone in a car in South Australia. It’s a different story when the key is in the ignition or is left in the car. Children playing with the key can inadvertently lock themselves in the vehicle with you on the outside.
In South Australia, if a child under 16 years of age is in the car, and the driver is more than three metres away, the driver can be fined.
What RAA says
Leaving children unattended under the age of 16 is never safe, even more so in summer.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says leaving a child alone in a car shouldn’t happen at any time of year.
“Don’t be fooled by cooler weather,” Charles says. “The car’s interior can quickly rise, even in winter.”
Kids in cars callouts
The number of RAA callouts in the past four years where a child was locked in a vehicle.
What you should do
Get into the habit of unbuckling the little ones and taking them with you when you leave the car. If that sounds like a challenge, plan to do chores, like filling the tank, when the kids aren’t in the car.
If the kids can’t be cared for by someone else, pay for petrol at the pump if you can, or buy groceries using click and collect.
If you do accidentally lock a child, or even a pet, in the car, call RAA on 13 11 11 or get in touch via the RAA App.
What happens if you see someone else’s child alone in a car?
Look around for the owner of the car. If you can’t find them, call 000 for help. In some circumstances, SA Police may authorise forced entry to remove the child from the car if it’s safe to do so.