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Seat belt/child restraint wearing requirements from 18 September 2006
Children under 3 years MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles)
What is in the new law?
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.
Three exceptions allow these children to travel in the rear and use an adult belt:
- in a taxi, if the right child restraint is not available
- for an occasional journey over a short distance, if the right child restraint is not available
- where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat
For further information about the fitting and wearing of seat belts and child restraints or a free leaflet Law contact the Road Safety Centre Tel: 20619907/8 or visit the child car seat web-site www.childcarseats.org.uk
