changes to child seat law - Am I the only one confused?
Discussion
There are changes to the law surrounding kids in cars, but everything I read seems to conflict.
My kids are 9 and 11. they are both around 135 cm tall. I understood it that as they are over 126cm they do not require any kind of in car seat (booster etc) and are both ok to sit in the front.
Am I breaking the law here? what will change come December?
can anyone clear this up for me?
My kids are 9 and 11. they are both around 135 cm tall. I understood it that as they are over 126cm they do not require any kind of in car seat (booster etc) and are both ok to sit in the front.
Am I breaking the law here? what will change come December?
can anyone clear this up for me?
hornetrider said:
Thanks but this:The Mirror said:
As the current UK law stands, all children travelling in a car must use the correct car seat until 12 years old or 135cm (1.35m) tall.
~~~
Under the new rules backless booster seats - also known as booster cushions - will only be approved for use for children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg (3st 6.5lbs).
~~~
He advises that children progress from a 9-18kg group one seat with a harness into a high-backed booster seat until they are 150cm, which is equivalent to about age 11-12.
so come December you can only use a backless seat if your kid is over 125cm but nothing once they are over 135cm? ~~~
Under the new rules backless booster seats - also known as booster cushions - will only be approved for use for children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg (3st 6.5lbs).
~~~
He advises that children progress from a 9-18kg group one seat with a harness into a high-backed booster seat until they are 150cm, which is equivalent to about age 11-12.
Don't worry I have asked numerous roads policing officers and never found one who knows the law correctly.
If you child seems to have a suitable car seat your OK I believe. Its mainly for people who don't bother at all with seats.
Like driving on mobiles, no mot, no insurance and especially people smoking in company vans etc which became illegal, they don't have the time of resources to bother so if you child has what looks like the right seat you should be fine.
I had one non roads policing copper make a comment make a passing remarked about my 6 year old sat on a highback booster a few years back. He said she shouldn't be sat in the front if under 135cm. He was just giving advice and not taking issue. I got the law up on my phone and proved he was talking twaddle.
If you child seems to have a suitable car seat your OK I believe. Its mainly for people who don't bother at all with seats.
Like driving on mobiles, no mot, no insurance and especially people smoking in company vans etc which became illegal, they don't have the time of resources to bother so if you child has what looks like the right seat you should be fine.
I had one non roads policing copper make a comment make a passing remarked about my 6 year old sat on a highback booster a few years back. He said she shouldn't be sat in the front if under 135cm. He was just giving advice and not taking issue. I got the law up on my phone and proved he was talking twaddle.
surveyor_101 said:
I had one non roads policing copper make a comment make a passing remarked about my 6 year old sat on a highback booster a few years back. He said she shouldn't be sat in the front if under 135cm. He was just giving advice and not taking issue. I got the law up on my phone and proved he was talking twaddle.
As a Pistonhead regular, i'd assume you were driving a MX5 anyway!We've been caught short before and used a booster seat and my oldest is 8.5 yo. She is about 125cm tall. The facts are that they are safer in a proper seat due to head protection so my view is simple. She stays in a suitable seat until she is at least 136cm and longer if she accepts it rather than really whinges that it's totally uncool. Can you imagine any 12-13 yo wanting to use a child seat. That will be the real battle.
This covers the legal position quite well for the UK
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/the-law/cars-taxis...
We bought a high back booster when our son got too heavy for his group 1 seat - he's been using it for quite a few years now and it's probably the longest he's used any of his 3 seats for. I don't like the idea of him using a booster cushion only, despite him being about 4ft tall and 4 stone! Given what parents tend to spend on infant carriers and group 1 seats for relatively short periods of time, high back boosters are actually better value for money even if you spend £170 like we did.
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/the-law/cars-taxis...
We bought a high back booster when our son got too heavy for his group 1 seat - he's been using it for quite a few years now and it's probably the longest he's used any of his 3 seats for. I don't like the idea of him using a booster cushion only, despite him being about 4ft tall and 4 stone! Given what parents tend to spend on infant carriers and group 1 seats for relatively short periods of time, high back boosters are actually better value for money even if you spend £170 like we did.
Edited by Adrian E on Thursday 22 September 08:24
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