Abstract
Lap belts, fitted to the centre seats of Australian cars for the past twenty-two years, have come under criticism as being injurious to children. The weight of evidence is that lap belts provide substantial protection, though less than three-point belts. A specific injury, the seat belt syndrome (SBS), to abdominal viscera and/or lumbar spine has been particularly associated with lap belts, an association confirmed by a hospital-based study in Melbourne. Suggestions are made for improvements in the restraint system.