Child seat regulations - how does it affect you?

You´ve probably heard or read about the new regulations concerning the use of car child seats coming into force on Monday (18 September). But do you understand what it means to you?

The changes update the existing regulations which date from 1993, when many cars in production did not come with pre-fitted rear seat belts. The old rules say that child seats and boosters should be used ´if available´. The majority of cars manufactured now do have rear seat belts, so parents can benefit by using child seats and boosters, while staying on the right side of the law.

So you might need to get your tape measure out. Under the new regulations children older than three, younger than twelve, but shorter than 135 cm – 4ft 5” in old money – must use a child seat or booster cushion to travel in a car. The only exemptions are for taxi trips, “unexpected necessities,” or if three children need to share the back seat but there is only room for two child seats. It also affects those with babies. Rear facing baby seats must not be used in front passenger seats when airbags are fitted, unless the airbags have been deactivated.

Adult seat belts are the best option for those passengers over 150cms (approx 5´) in height and with an adult bone structure. Children must use child seats and boosters to be safe - the boosters are there to put the child in the right position to benefit from using the adult seat belt properly.

Even if you only drive small children on occasion, you must remember that even giving a impromptu lift to them will mean that you have to comply with the regulations. Every week around one quarter of families with children under 15 rely on grandparents to look after the children. These “silver chauffeurs” help out with the school run and with taking kids to after-school clubs and sports – but the RAC Foundation is concerned that they do not realise that the new law applies to these trips just as much as to regular car journeys with mum and dad.

The change in the law has been promoted on parenting websites, and via the Department for Transport’s THINK! Campaign – but many grandparents won’t be reached by these channels and may not be aware that from Monday 18th they risk a fine of up to £500 and three penalty points.

Earlier this week the RAC Foundation called for:

Edmund King said “The real battle for image-conscious kids will be to get them back onto the boosters they thought they had grown out of. Grandparents must avoid being a soft touch.”