Car Seats

Travelling by car.

It is extremely important that you are aware of the legal requirement for children to be travel.  The safest way for children to travel in cars is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size.
Even in a minor crash, an unrestrained child would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and others.  They could be thrown from the car through one of the windows.
In a crash at just 30 mph, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their body weight.  They would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and quite possibly seriously injuring (or even killing) other people inside the vehicle.  They are also likely to be ejected from the car through one of the windows.
It is not safe to hold a child on your lap.  In a crash, the child could be crushed between your body and part of the car’s interior.  Even if you are using a seat belt, the child would be torn from your arms - you would not be able to hold onto them, no matter how hard you try.
It is also dangerous to put a seat belt around yourself and a child (or around two children).
The safest way for children to travel in cars is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size.
A properly fitted child restraint keeps the child in their seat, preventing them from being thrown about inside, or ejected from, the vehicle.  It also absorbs some of the impact force.  This means that your child is much less likely to be killed or injured in a crash.
To be effective, child restraints must be fitted and used correctly.  Surveys have consistently shown that a high proportion of child restraints are incorrectly fitted, usually for one or more of these reasons:

• Seat belt too loose
• Seat belt not routed through child seat correctly
• Buckle crunch (buckle resting against part of the child seat’s frame, which means that in a crash it might break or snap open)
• Handle on baby seat not positioned properly
• Child seat not compatible with car
• Child seat old and in bad condition
• Child too large or too small for the seat they are using.

Car Seat Guidelines

Did you know?
Many people find fitting child seats difficult.  The most important thing is to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  Ask to see the instruction booklet before you buy.

Additional information

The shape of car seats, the length of seat belts and the position of seat belt anchor points differ between cars.  So, not all child seats fit all cars.

It is essential to check that the child seat you purchase will fit in your car and that it will fit in all the seat positions you intend to use it.  The manufacturer and retailer should advise you.  Try to find a retailer who will let you try the seat in your car first and who will demonstrate how it should be fitted.  If this is not possible, make sure you can return the seat, if it is not suitable.
Check that the seat you are buying meets the latest safety standard: ECE R44.03 or R44.04 (look for the E mark).

If your car has an airbag in the front on the passenger’s side, you must not use a rearward-facing seat in the front. So make sure, the seat will fit in the rear of your car.

From 27th February 2007

• Children under 3 must always be carried in a baby or child seat appropriate to their weight.

• Rear facing baby seats must not be used in a seat protected by an active frontal air-bag.

• Children aged 3-12 and under 135cm (4ft 5ins) must use an appropriate booster seat or cushion.

• Children over 135cm must use an appropriate booster cushion or adult seatbelt.

• Bus and coach passengers aged 14 and over must use seat belts where fitted.

• Operators must inform all passengers of the need to use seat belts.

• If a car has 3 seatbelts in the back and 2 occupied child seats or boosters in the back prevent a third being fitted, and another child is occupying a child seat in the front, a fourth child aged 3 or over may travel using an adult belt in the back seat.

From May 2008

All child restraints must comply with the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) UN ECE 44.03 standard or subsequent versions.

Modern child restraints conform to the current UNECE standard and are designed to meet specific weight ranges of child.  They have to meet type approval and be marked with an “E” and “44.03” or “03” and the Group number, or weight range of child, for which it is designed.  Most retailers of child restraints will have trained staff that can help in choosing the right one.

DOE Road Safety Office Numbers:

Armagh                     3752 0773
Ballymena                2564 4311
Belfast                       90508181
Hydebank                 9025 3123
Londonderry            7031 9319

www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk