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Children and Car Seats

Child Car Seat : © Photographer: Renata Osińska | Agency: Dreamstime.comWe have all seen it or been there when it happens. A car draws up outside the school and children jump out, but they haven't had to undo their seat belts or get out of a child seat.

Many parents do not seem to realise that even in a minor crash, an unrestrained child would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and others. They could be thrown from the car through the windscreen or one of the side windows. Did you know that in a crash at a speed of 30 mph a child weighing 5 stone (31.7 Kg) would hit the front seat, anyone in it and the windscreen as if they weighed between 900 and 1800 Kg's (0.9 and 1.8 tons !) that's between 30 and 60 times their body weight,

The law and seatbelts

Since the 18th September 2006, it has been illegal to carry children under the age of 12 or under 1.35 metres ( 4' 5") in height unless they are in a car seat or other child restraint.

The table below shows a summary of the rules and who in the car is responsible for ensuring that the law is obeyed.

Occupant

In the front seat

In the rear seat

Who is responsible?

Driver

Seat belt MUST be worn if available.

n/a

Driver

Child up to 3 years

A correct child restraint MUST be used. Note that it is illegal to use a rear-ward facing child restraint in a vehicle seat which is protected by an active front airbag.

A correct child restraint MUST be used

In a licensed taxi or licensed hire car, if a child restraint is not available then the child may travel unrestrained in the rear. This is the only exemption, and it has been introduced for practical reasons.

Driver

Child from 3rd birthday up to EITHER 1.35m in height, OR 12 years old which ever comes first.

Correct child restraint MUST be used

Where seat belts are fitted the correct child restraint MUST be used

There are 3 exemptions to this law which mean that a child MUST use an adult seat belt if the correct child restraint is not available in the situations below :-

1. In a in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle

2. For a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity (not a planned or regular trip).

3. Two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third.

In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available but this is not recommended

Driver

Child over 1.35 metres, or 12 years old (unless the child is 14 years old or older - see below).

Seat belt MUST be worn if available

Seat belt MUST be worn if available

Driver

Adult passengers (i.e. 14 years and over)

Seat belt MUST be worn if available

Seat belt MUST be worn if available

Passenger

 

The table below summarises which child restraint type is suitable for a range of child weights. However for specific information in relation to your child, you should refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the suitability of the restraint for your child. Manufacturers may use different names and some products cover more than one weight range.

UNECE 44.03 Group

Weight range

Age range (approx.)

Group 0 and 0+ (e.g. baby seat)

Up to 13kgs

Birth to 9-12 months

Group 1 (e.g. child seat)

From 9kgs to 18kgs

9 months to 4 years

Group 2 (e.g. booster seat)

From 15kgs and upwards

From approx 4 years

Group 3 (e.g. booster cushion)

From 22kgs and upwards

From approx 6 years

Rearward Facing Child Seats

It is illegal to use a rearward facing child restraint in a vehicle seat which is protected by an active front airbag. The only options are to disable the airbag, place the seat on the back seat, or as a last resort use a forward facing child seat (for young babies rear facing seats provide a high level of protection in the event of an accident so these are the best types of seat to use).

Buses, Coaches, and Minibuses (including school mini buses with more than 8 seats)

Seated passengers aged 14 years and over MUST use seat belts where they are fitted. At the moment there are no rules about children younger than 14 wearing belts, except that children under the age of 3 on front seats must use a baby / child seat.

More details about how this will affect bus and coach operators can be found on the Department for Transport website

More Information

More information about child car seats can be found at the childcarseats.org.uk website or on the thinkroadsafety.gov.uk website. We have also found information about making your home childproof which you may find interesting on the UK Home Information website.

Please note that the rules regarding car safety seats are correct at the time this article was written, if you are in any doubt please check with your local councils' road safety department.





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