IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* Child 'Booster Seats' - New legal
requirements *
New regulations governing the use of child car
seats will come into force on 18 September 2006.
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.
* in mini-buses, buses and coaches, seated
passengers aged 14 years and above must use seat belts where they are fitted.
Drivers are legally responsible for making sure
that children under 14 years use seat belts or child restraints in cars and
goods vehicles. Those 14 years and above are responsible for themselves.
A £30 fixed penalty notice can be issued for non-compliance. If a case goes
to court, the maximum fine is £500. In 2004, there were some 200,000 fixed
penalties issued by the police and about 5,000 cases went to court.
This change in legislation WILL
have an impact when you're asking parents etc to transport young
people to events. Will there be enough booster seats to make
the journey legal?