Seat belts save lives, and there are none more important than your family’s. The Department for Transport explains how to choose the right child car restraints

Now that your baby is out in the big wide world and not travelling safely inside you, it is vital you have the correct child car restraints – that is baby seats, child seats and boosters.

 

 

The law requires children and babies to use a restraint in the front or rear of a moving vehicle. However, some children are in the incorrect child restraint for their weight or are using an adult belt too soon. Worse, they may be following the bad example set by an adult and not be using a restraint at all.

The following advice should help you understand the latest regulations so you can choose the correct child restraint to protect your growing family.

Know the law
Belts
• Children under three years old must use the correct child restraint for their weight (not age) when travelling in the front or rear of any car, van or other goods vehicle – you cannot carry a baby on your lap. The only exception to this rule is in the rear seat of a taxi or minicab if a child restraint is not available, though it is suggested you take a baby or child seat with you in the vehicle.

• Children aged three or more, and up to 135cm (4ft 5in) in height (or 12th birthday, whichever they reach first) must use the correct child restraint for their weight (not age) when travelling in the front or rear of a car, van or other goods vehicle.

• Three exceptions allow children aged three or more to travel in the rear when they must use an adult belt instead of a child restraint:
– In a taxi or minicab, if the right child restraint is not available
– For a short distance in an unexpected necessity, if the right child restraint is not available
– Where two occupied child restraints prevent the fitting of a third restraint. If the front passenger seat is unoccupied, then that must be used first.

If rear seat belts are not fitted then children aged three years or more may travel unrestrained.

Car safety
• Rear-facing seats must not be used in seats with an active frontal airbag.
• Do not put an adult belt around yourself and a child. In a crash, you will crush the child.
• Never put two children in the same seat belt. They could crush each other in a crash.

The right seat
Modern child restraints are designed for specific weight ranges of children. Details of the Group number and/or weight range of the child for which it is designed will be on the product label.

The weight ranges overlap and manufacturers can use names different to those used in the table. Some manufacturers have designs that cover more than one weight group. For example, it is possible to buy a restraint that appears similar to a booster cushion but is actually approved for Group 2 and Group 3, so can be used for children from 15kg. There are also multi-stage restraints available that cover Groups 1 to 3, with various elements that can be removed as the child grows.

The main difference between Groups 1 and 2 car seats is the built-in harness used in Group 1 restraints. It is good practice to delay moving your child up a Group for as long as they are comfortable in the lower Group product and are still within that product’s weight range.

Did you know?
Children younger than three years old must use the correct child restraint for their weight when travelling in the front or rear of any car, van or other goods vehicle – you cannot carry a baby on your lap.

Perfect fit
Before buying a child restraint, try it in your car to ensure it fits properly. You might also try your child in it as well. Ask the retailer to demonstrate how to use it. A properly installed restraint must fit tightly into the adult seat – push your weight against it while really tightening the adult seat belt (eg by kneeling on it). The seat belt buckle must not rest on the restraint frame. Beware of old or secondhand restraints which may be damaged or worn out and may not have the correct fitting instructions. Do they meet the current type approval standard? Check the label for mention of the 44.03 or later standard.

Allow plenty of time when fitting a child restraint in your car and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Check your restraint is correctly fitted on every trip.