Belting up for new car seat laws

04 October 2006

Parents heard about changes to child car seat safety laws at a series of checking events across the county.

Derbyshire County Council road safety staff were on hand to check child seats were fitted correctly and inform parents about new Government legislation which means every child (up until they are 135cms or 12 years old) must use the correct child restraint - either a car seat, booster seat or booster cushion - when they are travelling in a car or goods vehicle. 

It is now also illegal to use rear facing baby seats where there is a front air bag. All children aged between 0 and three years must use the correct restraint unless they are travelling in a taxi and the right seat is not available.

This exception also applies to children who are more than three years old and under 4ft 5ins (or aged 12 and above) along with:

  • If they are travelling a short distance where it can not be avoided eg a medical emergency or last minute request to pick up a child from school and only where the right seat is not available
  • Where there are already two child seats in the back of the car which prevent the fitting of a third

For updated information on the changes go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/roadsafety (opens in a new window). 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “These new laws mean children – possibly as old as 12 – will no longer be able to travel in a car using only an adult belt. It is crucial parents understand these changes and make sure their children are properly protected while travelling in the car – even on the shortest of journeys.”

SITTING SAFELY…(from left) Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders, Damon Marriott (child safety advisor from Stork Talk, Ilkeston) and Danny Read aged 22 months from Long Eaton.

child car seat checks 10/06

Parents heard about changes to child car seat safety laws at a series of checking events across the county.

Derbyshire County Council road safety staff were on hand to check child seats were fitted correctly and inform parents about new Government legislation which means every child (up until they are 135cms or 12 years old) must use the correct child restraint - either a car seat, booster seat or booster cushion - when they are travelling in a car or goods vehicle. 

It is now also illegal to use rear facing baby seats where there is a front air bag. All children aged between 0 and three years must use the correct restraint unless they are travelling in a taxi and the right seat is not available.

This exception also applies to children who are more than three years old and under 4ft 5ins (or aged 12 and above) along with:

  • If they are travelling a short distance where it can not be avoided eg a medical emergency or last minute request to pick up a child from school and only where the right seat is not available
  • Where there are already two child seats in the back of the car which prevent the fitting of a third

For updated information on the changes go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/roadsafety (opens in a new window). 

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders said: “These new laws mean children – possibly as old as 12 – will no longer be able to travel in a car using only an adult belt. It is crucial parents understand these changes and make sure their children are properly protected while travelling in the car – even on the shortest of journeys.”

SITTING SAFELY…(from left) Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety services Councillor Joyce Sanders, Damon Marriott (child safety advisor from Stork Talk, Ilkeston) and Danny Read aged 22 months from Long Eaton.

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