An adult seatbelt is no longer considered to be an ‘appropriate restraint’. An ‘appropriate restraint’ is now defined as a baby seat, child car seat, a booster seat or a booster cushion. The ‘if available’ loophole will generally no longer apply, with few exceptions.
So what does that mean? It means that until your child is 135cm tall (or 12 years old, whichever comes first), you (or the driver of any vehicle they travel in) will need to provide a car seat, a booster seat, or a booster cushion that’s appropriate for their height and weight, whether they are sitting in the front or back of the vehicle.
There are a few exceptions to this such as traveling in a taxi, short journeys that were unexpected but necessary, or where there are already two child restraints fitted that do not allow room for a third. For full details of exceptions to the new law, visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk
Why has it changed? The Department of Transport claims that these new measures could prevent up to 2000 child deaths or injuries a year. Stephen Ladyman, Road Safety Minister, says: "Most people make sure that children use some kind of restraint when travelling on the road, but it is vitally important to use the right one; and not to use an adult belt before the child is big enough.”
Where can I find more info? Trained advisors will be on hand in many of the shops that sell child car seats, and should be able to answer any questions that are specific to their own brands. For answers to more general questions about the change in legislation, and a ‘before and after’ comparison of precisely how the law has changed, visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats
My preschooler HATES his car seat and it’s a battle to get him in it every time we drive anywhere. What can I do? The Department of Transport has these tips for you, from Jean Birtles, director of Top Notch Nannies:
*Make it theirs - Take your child with you when you buy the seat. Get them to choose the colour/pattern they like best so that they have 'ownership' of the seat.
*Calmly explain why. Explain to your older children why they need to sit in the seat. Don't frighten them with horror stories, but explain to them that it will help them be safe, and stop them bumping their head or hurting their legs if there's a sudden stop.
*Routine - Simply make it part of the 'getting in car' routine. Children like routine and repetition, it makes them feel secure, and simply treating it as something normal and unsurprising will help them get in the seat without thinking about it. Make it a fun checklist: "Daddy seatbelt - check! Mummy seatbelt - check!"
*Travel treats - Put together a special 'travel pack' that goes with the seat. Put a drink, a book, crayons and a puzzle book or whatever your child enjoys playing with on car journeys.
*Name it! - Get your child to name the seat! He will be happier to sit on Henry the seat if it's a name he has chosen.
For a free leaftlet, call 08000 32 72 52, or log onto www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk for more details on the new legislation.
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