Child car seats

Drivers and passengers are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision if they are not wearing a seat belt. Children are much more vulnerable than adults. Taking time to make sure you use the right car seat or booster and using it correctly, will help protect your child and could save their life.

Child car seats and the law

New laws concerning the use of the correct baby seat, car seat, booster seat or booster cushion (appropriate to the age and weight of your child) in your car, van or goods vehicle, came into force on 27 February 2007.

Additional information on the law and advice on child seats and booster seats, is available from the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Road safety website below.

When buying a child seat/booster, if possible, try it in your car before you buy. Speak to the shop sales adviser who will give you advice and may show you how to fit the seat correctly.

Information on choosing and using child seats on the Child Car Seats website

Use the right car seat for your child

Every year too many children are killed or seriously injured on our roads – often because they are not properly restrained when travelling in a car. All children up to 135cms (approx 4ft 5ins) in height, or up to12 years of age (whichever occurs first), must use the appropriate child restraint.

It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that any child under 14 years of age uses a seat belt or correct child restraint, and that from May 2008 any child restraint used conforms to EU safety standard UN ECE 44.03 or subsequent specification.

So make sure you understand the law and give your child the best possible protection

Use the seat correctly

Remember:

fit the seat properly - follow the manufacturer's instructions
every trip, allow time to get the child comfortably strapped in
make sure the adult belt passes through all the correct slots
ensure the child seat is tight in the adult seat
ensure that the adult seatbelt buckle is not bent over or resting on the child seat frame
never fit a rear-facing seat with an active airbag in front of it
check the vehicle handbook and follow the advice about children and airbags (where fitted)
never modify the seat or adult seatbelt to make it fit