Which Child Car Restraint Does Your Child Need?
This article focuses on the laws around child car seats and provides handy information about the different requirements for children of varying ages.
When placing your child in a car you should be informed of the laws involving child car seats and traditional belts as there are differing rules for different vehicles, types and ages of child. In every one of these cases it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure children are securely restrained.
Babies
If your baby is on the front passenger seat and an airbag is available, it is prohibited for you to use a backwards facing child seat. If the airbag was to discharge greater injury would be caused if the incorrect restraint was used.
Children up to three
Need to be appropriately restrained in all seats of a car, back or front. There is only one exception and that is in a licensed taxi or licensed hire car where appropriate restraints are unavailable. In this situation a child can travel in the back unrestrained. However, you need to make sure that the fundamental child seating is at hand as this was introduced for practical reasons not safety.
Children under 1.35 metres high or between three and twelve years old
In 2006, regulations were brought in to ensure seatbelts were situated properly across a child’s body. It is mandatory for small children to sit in a specific removeable booster seat for safety. This regulation applies to youth between three and twelve or up to 1.35 tall, whichever comes first.
There are exceptions to this policy where a child in this category can wear an adult seatbelt as a substitute. If three booster seats will not fit in the back of the car and two are in use, then the third child is permitted to wear an adult belt. For a short distance in an emergency circumstance a child is allowed to wear an adult belt. In a private hire vehicle or authorized taxi this is also permitted.
If seat belts are not available in the rear of a vehicle then a child older than three is permitted to travel without restriction.
Youth older than twelve or talller than 1.35 metres
In the front and back of any vehicle a child must wear an adult seatbelt if available.
Passengers fourteen or over must use a seatbelt if fitted in buses, coaches and minibuses.
Additional information
Non UK residents must also adhere to the same regulations and use the necessary child restraint. If you are leasing a car then the company should be able to supply the necessary car seats if they are informed in advance.
Protecting your child should be of the utmost importance, it is your obligation to make sure your child is restrained properly. When travelling in someone else’s car you should make sure that the car is appropriately equipped with the applicable child seat.
Ron Skinner & Sons sell used cars in South Wales. We care about the safety of you and your children and subsequently provide car warranties to cover all mechanical and electrical components of the vehicle, provided they are of original manufacturer’s specification. For more information on used cars visit the car supermarket in South Wales.
Bloggers who are searching Internet for more info about 0 car finance, please make sure to check out the web page which is quoted in this line.
Add Yours
YOU