The Law

The Law:

Why does my child need a child seat?

• Child seats offer babies and small children the vital protection they need when travelling in a car. Older children too, need extra support in the form of a booster seat to give them the proportions required to benefit from the restraint of an adult seat belt.
• It is crucial to use the right seat, for the right car, at the right stage in your child’s life. Using an adult seat belt too soon, could result in serious injury or even a fatality in the event of a crash.
• Child seat safety laws are in place to protect your child when travelling by car. Changes were announced on 18 September 2006 to further improve legislation. The regulations introduced could prevent more than 2,000 child casualties a year.

What is the law on Child Restraints?

Children under 3 years MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles).

There is only one exception; a child under three may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available.

Rear–facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.

In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children 3 years to 135 cms in height (approx 4ft 5ins) MUST use the appropriate child restraint.

1. In a taxi, if the right child restraint is not available;
2. For an occasional emergency journey over a short distance, if the right child restraint is not available
3. Where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat.

The law in respect of cars, vans and goods vehicles is summarised in the table below:

	Front Seat	Rear Seat	Who is responsible?
Driver	Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted		Driver
Child under 3 years of age	Correct child restraint MUST be used.	Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained.	Driver
Child 3 years to 135cm's in height (approx 4'5") and under 12 years	The correct child restraint MUST be used	The correct child restraint MUST be used. An adult belt MUST be used if: - in a taxi, if the correct child restraint is not available; - two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third.	Driver
Child 12 or 13, or over 135cm's in height (approx 4ft 5ins)	Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted	Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted	Driver
Adult passengers (ie 14 years and over)	Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted	Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted	Passenger

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