What are the fresh UK baby car seat laws in 2017, what are the rules and how do I fit a child’s booster seat decently?
The law has now switched, here is how it could affect those with kids
CAR seats are essential to keeping your kids safe while out on the roads.
And fresh laws stopping junior children using backless booster seats are now in force to protect them on car journeys.
What are the fresh UK laws on using child car seats?
The fresh laws affect both families and manufacturers, who can no longer introduce fresh models of backless booster seats for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg.
Previously, those weighing as little as 15kg could use backless booster seats, but experts have warned this was unsuitable.
The fresh rules also state that kids are required to use car seats until they are either twelve years old or 135cm (4ft5in) tall, whichever comes very first.
Only EU approved seats can be used in the UK – look out for the capital E in a circle.
Children’s seats can only be immobile to car seats with diagonal belts, unless the seat is designed for lap belts or has ISOFIX anchor points.
Children over the age of twelve or taller than 135cm must wear a seat belt.
If your child is under twelve or smaller than 135cm and requires a child seat, it should be selected based on height or weight.
Tots should be in baby carrier, as opposed to a child seat, until they weigh at least 9kg.
And youngsters must travel in rear-facing car seats until they are at least fifteen months old, and then they can face either the front or the back of the car.
If your child has any disabilities, they may need a specially designed seat.
For more information on the fresh car seat laws, see the government’s website.
Why has the law switched and when did it come into effect?
Many experts say booster seats are unsuitable for youthfull kids – as they are not as secure.
The adult seatbelt is not guided across the child’s figure in the same way with booster seats, and they suggest little protection if a car is involved in a side-on crash.
Parents who have existing car seats for their kids will not be fined, and if you presently have a backless booster seat you won’t face activity.
The fresh laws for backless booster seats only apply to manufacturers and the labelling of fresh seats on sale.
However, you will face a £500 fine if you are found travelling with your child in the incorrect seat requirements for their age, height and weight.
The law came into effect on March one 2017.
How do I fit a child car seat?
Fitting the seat correctly:
- You must deactivate any front-facing airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat
- You must not use side-facing seats
- The seat must either have its own diagonal strap, be designed for use with a lap seat belt, or be fitted with ISOFIX anchor points
- ISOFIX anchors the child’s chair to the car’s back seat. There are three ISOFIX points – two metal bars at the base, and a top tether or support gam
- Make sure the seat itself is fitted as securely as possible, with no excessive movement
- Make sure the seat’s buckle is clear of its framework – because otherwise it could snap open if you have an accident
- With babies, harnesses should be pulled taut, with no more than two fingers’ space under the shoulder straps at the collarbone
What are the fresh UK baby car seat laws in 2017, what are the rules and how do I fit a child’s booster seat decently?
What are the fresh UK baby car seat laws in 2017, what are the rules and how do I fit a child’s booster seat decently?
The law has now switched, here is how it could affect those with kids
CAR seats are essential to keeping your kids safe while out on the roads.
And fresh laws stopping junior children using backless booster seats are now in force to protect them on car journeys.
What are the fresh UK laws on using child car seats?
The fresh laws affect both families and manufacturers, who can no longer introduce fresh models of backless booster seats for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg.
Previously, those weighing as little as 15kg could use backless booster seats, but experts have warned this was unsuitable.
The fresh rules also state that kids are required to use car seats until they are either twelve years old or 135cm (4ft5in) tall, whichever comes very first.
Only EU approved seats can be used in the UK – look out for the capital E in a circle.
Children’s seats can only be immobilized to car seats with diagonal belts, unless the seat is designed for lap belts or has ISOFIX anchor points.
Children over the age of twelve or taller than 135cm must wear a seat belt.
If your child is under twelve or smaller than 135cm and requires a child seat, it should be selected based on height or weight.
Tots should be in baby carrier, as opposed to a child seat, until they weigh at least 9kg.
And youngsters must travel in rear-facing car seats until they are at least fifteen months old, and then they can face either the front or the back of the car.
If your child has any disabilities, they may need a specially designed seat.
For more information on the fresh car seat laws, see the government’s website.
Why has the law switched and when did it come into effect?
Many experts say booster seats are unsuitable for youthfull kids – as they are not as secure.
The adult seatbelt is not guided across the child’s assets in the same way with booster seats, and they suggest little protection if a car is involved in a side-on crash.
Parents who have existing car seats for their kids will not be fined, and if you presently have a backless booster seat you won’t face activity.
The fresh laws for backless booster seats only apply to manufacturers and the labelling of fresh seats on sale.
However, you will face a £500 fine if you are found travelling with your child in the incorrect seat requirements for their age, height and weight.
The law came into effect on March one 2017.
How do I fit a child car seat?
Fitting the seat correctly:
- You must deactivate any front-facing airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat
- You must not use side-facing seats
- The seat must either have its own diagonal strap, be designed for use with a lap seat belt, or be fitted with ISOFIX anchor points
- ISOFIX anchors the child’s chair to the car’s back seat. There are three ISOFIX points – two metal bars at the base, and a top tether or support gam
- Make sure the seat itself is fitted as securely as possible, with no excessive movement
- Make sure the seat’s buckle is clear of its framework – because otherwise it could snap open if you have an accident
- With babies, harnesses should be pulled taut, with no more than two fingers’ space under the shoulder straps at the collarbone