The law in respect of Child Car Safety changed in September last year.The changes could save up to 2,000 child casualties per year nationwide. This will mean that all children travelling in cars or goods vehicles will now need to be provided with restraints appropriate to their age or size.

The Council’s Road Safety team are on hand to assist parents on how to carry out checks to ensure seats are fitted correctly as well as to educate parents and drivers about the changes in the law. Ultimately parents face being fined if they do not comply with the new rules:

• All children under 3 years old must use the correct seat when travelling in any car or goods vehicle (except in the rear of a taxi if a child seat is not available).
• Children aged 3 years and under 12 must use the correct child seat, booster seat or booster cushion when travelling in cars or goods vehicles until they reach 4 feet 5 inches (135cms). Few exceptions are permitted.
• Taller children and all those aged 12 and over need to use adult belts.
• Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in seats with an active frontal airbag.
• There are some specific practical exemptions – for taxis, emergency vehicles, and (for children aged 3 and over) journeys over a short distance in an unexpected necessity.
• In mini-buses, buses and coaches, seated passengers aged 14 years and above must use seat belts where they are fitted.

In order to make it easier for parents to understand these changes the Department for Transport, (DfT) and RoSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) are running awareness campaigns providing access to further information.Follow the link on this page to their websites.

You can also contact Road Safety Officers on 0845 6037631 who can give further advice.