In-car Child Safety

What does the law say?

You must use a restraining system if one is fitted in your vehicle. The law is complicated, so the best way to stay on the right side of it is to use the most appropriate restraint for everyone travelling in the car.

Where children are concerned, the law states that:

• You must not carry an unrestrained child in the front seat.
• Children under three travelling in a vehicle MUST be carried in a correct child restraint (infant carriers or child seat).

For the most up to date legal advice view the Government website

Did you know…?

• Adult seat belts are not designed for children as they don't sit across the right parts of the body. If a child isn't in the right booster or car seat, they can be injured by the seat belt in a crash.
• The law says that children under 3 are not allowed to travel anywhere in a car without an appropriate child restraint – usually a baby or child car seat. This is also very good safety advice.
• Trying to hold a small baby in a car crash at 30mph would be like trying to lift 8 bags of cement at the same time.
• All children under 12 years old who are under 135cm in height have to use a child restraint. It’s the law.