Car safety seats for children

Here you can find out about child car seat regulations and child car seat checks.

child car seat check
New seatbelt regulations came into effect as of 18 September 2006.
 
The new law states that:
  • Children under three years must use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles).          

There is only one exception: a child under three may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available.     

  • Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically. 
  • In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children three years to 135cm (approximately  4 foot 5 inches) in height or age twelve (whichever comes first) must use the appropriate child restraint.           

Three exceptions allow these children to travel in the rear and use an adult seat belt:

  1. In a taxi - if the right child restraint is not available.
  2. For a short distance in unexpected necessity, if the right child restraint is not available.
  3. Where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat.

The road safety team will be in attendance in their mobile exhibition unit at the following locations throughout September:

  • Monday 22 September - Sainsburys, Ripley

  • Tuesday 23 September - Sainsburys, Chesterfield

  • Wednesday 24 September - Sainsburys, Swadlincote

  • Thursday 25 September - Morrisons, Buxton

  • Friday 26 September - Asda, Long Eaton

All checks will take place between 10am and 4pm and are carried out by a Britax child car seat fitting expert. Members of the Road Safety Team will also be available to offer advice and guidance on road safety issues.

For further information regarding the law, car seat checks and child car seats in general please email roadsafety@derbyshire.gov.uk.

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