| New UK regulations are coming into force to | | | | worth investing in a seat that can be |
| improve children's safety whilst travelling | | | | adjusted as your child grows. |
| in a car. This article explains. | | | | |
| | | | For an idea of what you'd have to pay for a |
| September 2006 will see the introduction of | | | | seat that would take your child from 9 months |
| new laws regarding child restraints in cars. | | | | to 12 years, the Recaro Start seat can be |
| | | | bought for around £200. |
| Current laws state: - Children aged three to | | | | |
| 11 (inclusive) and less than 150cm tall are | | | | There's the Evolva 23 seat, from Britax, |
| permitted to travel in an adult seat belt if | | | | which is adjustable and suitable for children |
| no child restraint is fitted. | | | | weighing from15kg to 36kg and up to 135cm |
| | | | (4ft 5ins). The back of the seat can be |
| New legislation says: - Children aged three | | | | extended as the child grows, so that the head |
| to 11 and under 135cm have to be seated in | | | | is always supported. This costs around |
| child seat or booster (designed to be used | | | | £65. |
| with an adult belt), suitable for their age | | | | |
| and weight. | | | | For a baby of up to 9 months, or around 13kg, |
| | | | a rear facing approved car seat is |
| Children taller than 135cm (4ft 5ins) or aged | | | | acceptable, fitted on either the front |
| 12 or over must wear an adult seat belt where | | | | passenger seat or in the back of the car. It |
| one is fitted. | | | | must no be used in the front if an airbag is |
| | | | fitted. |
| The driver is responsible for ensuring these | | | | |
| rules are complied with until the child | | | | It's extremely important that the seat is |
| reaches the age of 14, when they must take | | | | fitted properly, and many suppliers offer a |
| responsibility for their own safety. | | | | fitting service. Do remember that it's |
| | | | important that before you have the seat |
| The Department of Transport believes that, by | | | | fitted; make sure it fits your child. |
| making sure that children are securely | | | | |
| restrained and not allowed to use adult | | | | The 18 September is the date that the |
| seatbelts until they are sufficiently tall | | | | Department of Transport is aiming for, so |
| for them to work in the proper manner, 2,000 | | | | remember, after this date you need to comply |
| child injuries and deaths will be prevented. | | | | with the new rules. |
| | | | |
| The penalty for failing to comply with these | | | | These laws are to be taken seriously. Parents |
| regulations will be a fixed penalty fine of | | | | and regular carers are not the only ones who |
| £30 or, if the case proceeds to court, a | | | | need to be "car seat ready". You may |
| fine of up to a maximum of £500. | | | | occasionally take your, say 9 year old, |
| | | | grandchild out with you. The big difference |
| Exceptions will be allowed in emergencies, | | | | there is that, prior to September 18; no |
| cars without seatbelts, and when children are | | | | special steps had to be taken. After this |
| passengers in taxis. | | | | date you'll need to equip yourself with a |
| | | | seat or booster. |
| Information on child-seat safety can be | | | | |
| obtained from the Child Accident Prevention | | | | If you are in the unfortunate position of |
| Trust, or from the government's website | | | | being involved in an accident, and if your |
| there's a question and answer section on | | | | child or children are not travelling in an |
| government website which is very | | | | approved car seat or booster, your insurance |
| comprehensive and seems to answer every | | | | may not be willing to pay out, resulting in |
| question you could think of. | | | | what could be a considerable personal claim |
| | | | against the driver, whose responsibility it |
| There's a good choice of car seats available, | | | | is. |
| and you should always ensure that they are | | | | |
| made to conform to the European Union safety | | | | Parents and (even occasional) carers please |
| standards. For a young child it's probably | | | | take note. |