I’ve been looking in the law regarding installing a child seat to my car, and the rules, well, although they are strict, make complete sense to me. But what i’m looking for is information that is new, as this site i got the information from is only a reference point.
The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first) . After this they must use an adult seat belt. There are very few exceptions, and the main ones are set out below. (Which is okay, but I have a SEAT Ibiza which only has two belts in the back, and I have 3 children – Might need to change to a SEAT Altea, although living in Datchet, may not be the best choice of cars!)
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are restrained correctly in accordance with the law.
Children up to 3 years old
In the Front Seat
The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
It is illegal to carry a child in a rear-facing child seat in the front, which is protected by an active frontal airbag.
In the Rear Seat
The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
In a licensed taxi or licensed hire car, if a child restraint is not available then the child may travel unrestrained in the rear. This is the only exception for children under 3, and has been introduced for practical rather than safety reasons. You should always think about ways to make sure that a child seat is available.
Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in height
In the Front Seat
The child MUST use the correct child restraint.
In the Rear Seat
The child MUST use the correct restraint, where seat belts are fitted.
There are three exceptions where there is not a child seat available. In each case the child MUST use the adult belt instead. They are -
1) in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle;
2) if the child is travelling on a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;
3) if there are two occupied child restraints in the rear which prevent the fitment of a third.
In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.
So all in all, if anyone has any additional information, please leave me a comment and help me ensure my children are safe 
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: car seat, datchet, seat altea, seat ibiza, the law
