DRIVING TIPS FROM BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORISTS
CHILD SEATS - HOW THE REGULATIONS AFFECT YOU
New regulations governing the use of child car seats came into force in 2006 but there are many parents who are still unaware of the rules.
The changes updated previous regulations dating from 1993 when most cars on the road did not have rear seat belts. The old rules suggested using child seats and boosters "if they are available" but the vast majority of cars now have rear seat belts, so parents can benefit by always using child seats and boosters.
The regulations are that you must not carry a child of 12 or younger without a booster seat if they are less than 135cm tall. As with all these regulations, it is the driver who is responsible for them so the argument "my child thinks booster seats aren't cool" is unlikely to win any favours from a police officer. There is a £30 penalty for not following the regulations although Taxis are exempt in some circumstances.
Adult seat belts are best for people over 150cm (approx 5') in height and with an adult bone structure. Children need to use child seats and boosters to be safe because if their upper seat belt strap is too high on the neck line you risk causing them serious and often irreparable damage which often leads to permanent disability. The boosters put the young passenger in the right position to properly benefit from the adult seat belt.
Your own child may well be more than 135cm tall but there are things to think about if you ever find yourself giving lifts to other children, especially on school runs for example: the regulations will still apply.
If you think you will be giving a young passenger a lift, and they are less than 135cm, you are responsible for their proper care, and in these days of litigation we shouldn't be at all surprised to find a lawsuits on our doorsteps from nearest neighbours or friends, so why not check if their parents have a suitable booster seat they can lend you? When you fit the booster seat, ensure it is properly secure, that the child is comfortable and also that the seat belt is properly adjusted.
Remember; in a crash it is often the rear passengers, who are not wearing seatbelts, who kill the driver and front passenger so it is a good discipline to ensure that all passengers are belted in and secured before you start the engine, regardless of how old they are.
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