Wearing of seatbelts - changes to the law - 03/11/2006
On 18 September 2006, it became compulsory for all children under 12 years old and / or under 135cm tall to use appropriate child restraints in cars.
The specifics
All children under 3 years old must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in the front passenger seat of any car or goods vehicle and the airbag must be disabled. There are no exemptions.
Children under 3 years old travelling in the rear seat must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars or goods vehicles fitted with seatbelts. There are a few exemptions.
Children between 3 and 11 years old and up to 135cm in height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in the front or rear seat of cars or goods vehicles fitted with seatbelts. There are a few exemptions.
Children between 12 and 13 years old (or between 3 and 11 years old and over 135cm in height) must use an adult seat belt if available when travelling in the front or rear seat of cars or goods vehicles fitted with seatbelts.
It is the legal responsibility of the driver to ensure that children under the age of 14 are correctly restrained in compliance with the new regulations.
Full details of the new regulations can be found in the attached document.
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