In Car Safety

New law from18th September 2006
Enfield Road Safety offers Free advice and a try-before-you-buy service.

What is the new Law?

Children under 3 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 3 years to 135 cms (approx 4ft 5 ins) MUST use the appropriate child restraint.

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

• In a taxi, 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 car seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat

Enfield Road Safety are concerned that from the very first time your child travels as a passenger in a motor car, it does so in an appropriate and properly fitted child restraint

If you already have a seat of your own, we will check to see that it is fitted correctly.

We would strongly advise that you DO NOT purchase or use a second hand seat unless you are CERTAIN of its history. It could have already been weakened in a crash or be very old and may not still be in good enough condition!

Enfield Road Safety has an In-Car Safety Centre which is a ‘Try Before You Buy’ service. It’s FREE! and available by appointment to anyone.

Phil Emmans, our In Car Safety expert advisor?
Telephone: 020 8379 8539

This document was last updated on 2007-12-20 11:09:08 published by the Road Safety team. Document Reference:LBE_125465