The law makes it compulsory for children to use child car seats or booster seats has been welcomed by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council as a positive move for safety.

The Trading Standards and Road Safety services of the Local Authority urge parents to act to ensure they have the correct seats for their children. The law will make children much safer in cars and should lead to a reduction in deaths and injuries on our roads.

Stephen Ladyman Road Safety Minister says: “We estimate that these changes could prevent over 2000 child deaths or injuries each year”.

“From 18^th September parents will have to make sure that with very few exceptions children up to 4’ 5” (1.35m) in height or 12 years old use the relevant child car seats or boosters in cars, vans and other goods vehicles. I expect that the Police will seek to educate as well as enforce, but ultimately parents face being fined if they don’t comply with the new rules.”

“Most people make sure that children use some kind of restraint when traveling on the road, but it is vitally important to use the right one; and not to use an adult belt before the child is big enough”.

“Small children need the protection that baby seats and child seats are designed to provide. Seat belts are designed for adults. Children who have grown out of child seats still need to use booster seats and booster cushions."

There will be a few exceptions – visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk for details – but in general any adult breaking the new law could end up with a £30 fixed penalty notice or a fine of up to £500 if a case goes to court.

The changes mean that:

• all children under 3 years old must use the correct child seat when travelling in any car or goods vehicle (except in the rear of a taxi if a child seat is not available);
• children aged 3 years and under 12 must use the correct child seat/booster seat/booster cushion when travelling in cars or goods vehicles until they reach about 4' 5" (135cms). Few exceptions are permitted;
• taller children and all those aged 12 and over need to use adult belts;
• rear-facing baby seats must not be used in seats with an active frontal air-bag;
• there are some specific practical exemptions - for taxis, emergency vehicles, and (for children aged 3 and over) journeys over a short distance in an unexpected necessity;
• in mini-buses, buses and coaches, seated passengers aged 14 years and above must use seat belts where they are fitted. We will be consulting on further regulations which will be made as soon as possible requiring children under 14 years to use seat belts in these vehicles.

Why are the rules changing?

• The changes update regulations dating from 1993 when many more cars on the road than now did not have rear seat belts. The old rules are generally to use child seats and boosters “if they are available”. The vast majority of cars now have rear seat belts. Therefore parents can now benefit by always using child seats and boosters

Equally important is to ensure any child car seat, booster seat or booster cushion is fitted correctly. Road Safety and Trading standards officers will continue to organise the very popular car seat safety checks.

To further help people understand the new regulations and anything else they need to know about child car seats you can check out the website:

WWW.CHILDCARSEATS.ORG.UK Or for advice over the phone contact Trading Standards on 01685 725027 or Road Safety on 01685 726286.

Information leaflet on the law (Welsh and English)

 Child_Car_Seats_(Eng_HR).pdf3603k

Child_Car_Seats_(Welsh_HR).pdf3517k

Information leaflet on how to fit a child car seat 060629_How_to_Fit_Typesetters_Amendments 366k                   

The new law from September 18th 2006:

The Law – The new law says that anybody under 135cm (approx up to 12 years old) must use a suitable restraint.