RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

September 12, 2006
THOUSANDS SEEKING INFORMATION ON NEW CHILD SEATS LAW

Thousands of parents are contacting the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for information on the new child car seat law which comes into force on Monday (Sept 18).

The number of visitors to RoSPA’s special website - www.childcarseats.org.uk - set up to help parents with queries about car restraints has been growing rapidly in recent weeks. About 5,000 people a day are currently logging on to the site – five times the number a year ago.

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, said: “The interest has been phenomenal. It does show that people are aware that changes are on the way and they need to be prepared for them.

“A lot do seem to be leaving things until the last minute and we urge them to ensure they have the correct seats for their children’s size and for their car.

“The law makes it compulsory for children to use child car seats or booster seats.

“In the past, most children in cars have only had to be in an appropriate child restraint ‘if available’. That loophole will disappear on Monday (Sept 18), and children under 12 will not be able to wear an ordinary seatbelt in a car until they are over 4ft 5in (1.35m), with very few exceptions.”

He said many parents still did not put their children in any form of restraint in cars and it was hoped the new law would help to solve that problem. The Government estimates that if people comply with the changes, the legislation could save about 2,000 injuries a year among children on Britain’s roads.

Those who ignore the law face a £30 fixed penalty notice or £500 fine if the case goes to court.

“But it shouldn’t take the threat of punishment to ensure children are as safe as possible in cars,” Kevin Clinton said. “Adult seatbelts are designed for adults and not children and will not offer the same protection as a child car seat or booster seat or cushion. Parents should see this as a piece of positive legislation designed to reduce the likelihood or severity of injuries in a crash.”

Also on September 18, new regulations will be introduced requiring coach, bus and minibus passengers over 13-years-old to wear seatbelts where fitted.