Booster seats and the new law..

[julesy]

Just really started to think about the new kids seats laws coming in 18th September (i know I'm a little late here...). I bought the Cerb 2 years ago cos my family (small wife, 2 yr old and 5 yr old) would fit comfortably. Wife is still OK, 2 yr old sits in a Britax Freeway with a ratchet device from Halfwits, but now the 5 yr old is a problem. He currently sits in the back seat with no booster, but now this will be illegal. Have tried a booster cushion, but it just falls of the seat.

Has anyone got a way around this (legally) so that I can continue to keep my Cerb...

Thanks
Julesy

[350matt]

How about modifying the booster (presumably it needs shortening?)

Matt

[JohnSW20]

Hi

I thought the Cerb was exempt?? Not sure where I heard this but it was probably on here!!

John

Edited by JohnSW20 on Tuesday 29th August 13:26

[byker28i]

The law states below 135cm you need to use a booster seat unless they are over 12 years old.

I haven't looked yet, but I'm guessing I'll pick up one of the cheap polystyrene seats and trim it to fit. It I can get some Tan leather to cover it then so much the better.

[Touching Cloth]

You are exempt if it was out of neccesity and for a short journey

[ridds]

Yet another STUPID law from the government put in place for idiots that can't understand common sense.

I fail to see how a booster seat will aid a person under 135cm in the back of a Cerb...

[350matt]

I thought the idea of the booster seat is to ensure that your kiddy doesn't subermarine underneath the belt as they have no hips to speak to of.

Bear in mind that 99.5% of cars carrying kiddies about, are not cerbera's, but I agree its another nanny state thing which shouldn't be law

Matt

[daver]

I successfully modified a one-piece polystyrene child seat to make it fit nicely for our first daughter when she was smaller.

Now she’s six she sits directly on the Cerb’s rear seat with one of those thingies comprising some nylon material and numerous poppers to adjust the angle between the lap belt and the shoulder strap to stop the latter rubbing her neck.

In this respect, nanny state aside, a booster seat would actually be beneficial. Same question though – where to source one? All of the two-part seats where the base can be used alone as a booster are hard plastic and none of them fit.

I did think about trying to mould something using a poly bag and a can of builders foam. As the rear seat panels in the Cerb are fairly easy to remove too (exposing the chassis members behind them) I also thought about fitting a little 4-point harness to use instead of the seatbelt.

Amyone done tried anything along either of those lines?

[byker28i]

Standard trick in motor racing is to use a thick black plastic bag and two part foam, although I guess the spray stuff might work as well.

Mix the stuff, put it in the bag and sit on it to make an individual molded seat

[Tyre Smoke]

byker28i said:

Standard trick in motor racing is to use a thick black plastic bag and two part foam, although I guess the spray stuff might work as well.

Mix the stuff, put it in the bag and sit on it to make an individual molded seat

Which is okay if you have stopped growing, but a PITA when your son is 3!

Mind you he still fits fine in the Recaro Start so I'll just grab me coat.......

[cossiemetro]

probably somebody in the cabinet office has shares in BRITAX as i can't see any other logical conclusion

also does that mean the POLICE will stop the pikies carrying 10 kids in the front of a transit I DOUBT IT

[julesy]

Home made booster seats sound cool, but i think they'll fall foul of the law. Apparently all child restraints need to comply with some standard or other.

Look here for a good summary

www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/pdf/law-leaflet.pdf#search=%22september%2018%20car%20seat%22

Julesy

[morebeanz]

I seem to recall on a previous thread on this, that we decided the Police were likely to be fairly practical about dealing with this, and that unless you were taking the mick, you are likely to be alright in most circumstances.

Some sensible height raising device and the seatbelt is likely to be favourabley looked upon surely!?

[jensena]

Yes its another Silly Nanny state Law, but I would think, that if you have made an effort, and can show that no available child seat on the Market fits your Cerbera, wwould the Police really prosecute you? And if they did, if your in a Motoring organisation with legal aid cover, I would have thought a decent Lawyer should be able to argue that a seat booster that does NOT fit, is more dangerous than your 'home made' booster seat.
I don't have any kids, but if I did, I would take it as far as I could, go to a court with a jury, and hope that my sensible 'peers' on the jury would find me not guilty.

There must be at least one Lawyer who owns a cerb !! Do a new thread "Help! Lawyer with Cerbera needed"