The Law on Child Car Seats
I am a single father of one lovely little girl and try to do my best for her. One of the key issues I certainly researched on was then taking the most precious thing in my life out for a ride in my motor. I had no idea what kind of child car seat to buy, no idea on the child safety seat laws and certainly no idea how to even fit a toddler car seat
I searched the internet and found all the info I needed from various sites. So I thought I would share my knowledge on infant car seats here on one blog so hopefully it will help others.
First and foremost I needed to find the correct car seat from birth and upwards. I wanted a car safety seat that would protect my child but also something that was in my price range being a single parent money is always tight. After lots of research I decided to go for the Graco Infant Car Seat (Group 0+, Orbit). The car seat has been awarded Best Value by readers of Baby and Pregnancy magazine so that is one of the things that swung me towards this and I got it for less than £65. It really did tick all the correct boxes and after using this I am very pleased with my purchase.
If you are unsure on the laws regarding car seats for toddlers here in the UK then I have listed the key points below. If your a new parent or currently pregnant then I would suggest reading them and taking some notes as a child safety seat is one the most important purchases you will make as a new parent.
Cars
The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first) . After this they must use an adult seat belt. There are very few exceptions, and the main ones are set out below.
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are restrained correctly in accordance with the law.
Children up to 3 years old
Children in the Front Seat
The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
It is illegal to carry a child in a rear-facing child seat in the front, which is protected by an active frontal airbag.
Children in the Rear Seat
The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
In a licensed taxi or licensed hire car, if a child restraint is not available then the child may travel unrestrained in the rear. This is the only exception for children under 3, and has been introduced for practical rather than safety reasons. You should always think about ways to make sure that a child seat is available.
It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.
Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in height.
In the Front Seat
The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
In the Rear Seat
The child MUST use the correct restraint, where seat belts are fitted.
There are three exceptions where there is not a child seat available. In each case the child MUST use the adult belt instead. They are -
1) in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle;
2) if the child is travelling on a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;
3) if there are two occupied child restraints in the rear which prevent the fitment of a third.
In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.
It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.
Children over 1.35 metres in height, or who are 12 or 13 years old
In the Front Seat
The adult seat belt MUST be worn if available.
In the Rear Seat
The adult seat belt MUST be worn if available.
It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.
Passengers Over 14 years old
When travelling in the front or rear seat, an adult seat belt MUST be worn if available.
It is the responsibility of the individual passenger to ensure that they are wearing the seat belt.
Legal Penalties
If you are convicted of failing to wear a seat belt as a driver or passenger, you could face a fine of up to £500.
As a driver, if you are convicted of failing to ensure that a child passenger is using an appropriate child restraint or wearing a seat belt according to the legal requirements described above, you could face a fine of up to £500.
In addition to the legal penalties, failure to wear a seat belt or failure to ensure that a child passenger uses an appropriate child restraint or wears a seat belt according to the legal requirements described above, could affect any claims against your motor insurance cover.
You could also face civil proceedings for damages, if (for example) you failed to safely carry someone else's child.
But, of course, the most serious penalty of all could be that you or a passenger loses their life!
The above are just the common guidelines regarding Car Seat Laws UK. If you require further information then I suggest visiting http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/
