Car Insurance - Safety first child restraints

Summary
New UK regulations are coming into force to improve children's safety whilst travelling in a car. This article explains.

Author: Dot Piper

September 2006 will see the introduction of new laws regarding child restraints in cars.

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Current laws state: -

• Children aged three to 11 (inclusive) and less than 150cm tall are permitted to travel in an adult seat belt if no child restraint is fitted.

New legislation says: -

• Children aged three to 11 and under 135cm have to be seated in child seat or booster (designed to be used with an adult belt), suitable for their age and weight.

Children taller than 135cm (4ft 5ins) or aged 12 or over must wear an adult seat belt where one is fitted.

The driver is responsible for ensuring these rules are complied with until the child reaches the age of 14, when they must take responsibility for their own safety.

The Department of Transport believes that, by making sure that children are securely restrained and not allowed to use adult seatbelts until they are sufficiently tall for them to work in the proper manner, 2,000 child injuries and deaths will be prevented.

The penalty for failing to comply with these regulations will be a fixed penalty fine of £30 or, if the case proceeds to court, a fine of up to a maximum of £500 ( it may also effect your car insurance ) .

Exceptions will be allowed in emergencies, cars without seatbelts, and when children are passengers in taxis.

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