5 Things Parents Should Know About The New Child Seatbelt Law

Children must use child car seats until they are 12 years of age or 135cm tall, depending on which they reach first.  After this point they must be strapped in using a car seat belt like any adult. The previous regulations in relation to child seats and car seatbelts for children were introduced in May 2008 to improve child safety, however new regulations were introduced in the UK on 1^st March 2017 and are set to become effective in Northern Ireland from 20^th April 2017.  Worryingly, studies show that only 13% of parents are familiar with the new laws.

The following points will shed some light on the situation for parents who are unaware or confused about the new regulations.

1. What is the purpose of the new child seatbelt regulations?

There is now a legal requirement for all child seatbelts to meet EU standards to maximise the safety of young children who are being transported by car. Although enactment of the previous legislation has resulted in improvements in child safety, it is reported that many parents and/or carers switch a child to a larger car seat too early, or simply make mistakes when fitting child seats to the vehicle itself. A new system is being introduced to help parents choose the correct car seat for their child based on height rather than weight.  It will also address the ineffectiveness of backless booster seats in protecting a child in the event of a car accident. Backless booster seats significantly reduce the protection afforded to the child in the event of a side impact, when compared to a high back booster seat.

2. How will child seats be made safer?

By the introduction of a new European-wide car seat regulation basing child seats on height and known as ‘i-Size’. It’s designed to keep children rear-facing for longer (at least until your child is 15 months old) to provide better side impact protection, to make car seats easier to fit correctly and to  change how backless booster seats will be manufactured and sold going forward.  The new rules prohibit manufacturers from being allowed to introduce new backless car seat models for children under 125cm or 22kg in weight and place responsibilities on manufacturers to communicate that backless booster seats are only suitable for children who are over the stipulated height and weight.  This is considered to be a positive advance on the existing one as it allows a car seat to be more securely fitted to anchor points in the car, enabling it to remain in place throughout the journey and removing the need to use an adult seat belt on a child.

3. Who is responsible for the changes?

The Department of the Environment (DoE) is responsible for road safety in Northern Ireland. Their remit includes seatbelt legislation.  Environment Minister Mark H Durkan continues to highlight the need for all car users to wear a seatbelt on every journey and ensure that children are strapped in using a suitable seatbelt for their age.

4. Does this mean all car seats need replaced in April?

Simply, no. The new legislation does not mean that old car seats will be illegal following enactment of the legislation next month however, the DoE hopes that old car seats will be phased out by 2018.  The new legislation will mean that cars in future will be designed to meet the new system.

5. What is the advice for parents?

It is recommended that parents purchase a new high back booster seat, but it is not illegal if you don’t. When purchasing a new child car seat, it is also advisable to check that your car seat is EU approved. EU approved car seats will have a label displaying a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’.

Don’t compromise the safety of your child or the children in your care. More information to help you to choose the right car seat for your child is available on the Child Car Seats Website.

Please contact us if you have any query regarding the new legislation at law@lukecurran.co.uk or 02830267134.