New Children's Car Seat Regulations

The law on the use of car seats for children changed on 18th September 2006. Full details of the new child car seat laws are available from the Department For Transport (see link below). Here are the main points:

INFANT/BABY CAR SEATS CHILD CAR SEATS COMBINATION CAR/BOOSTER SEATS CAR BOOSTER SEATS

1. When will the new regulations come into force?
The new regulations come into force on 18th September 2006.

2. What are the new child car seat regulations ?
Children under three years of age must use a child restraint (see below) that is appropriate for their weight (when travelling in any vehicle). Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in a seat fitted with an air-bag (unless it has been deactivated).
In vehicles with fitted seat belts, children three years of age and over (up to 135 cms/4ft 5in) in height must use the appropriate child restraint.

3. What is meant by "child restraints"?
"Child restraints" is the collective term in the seat belt wearing legislation for:
• baby seats - rear-facing and for children up to 13 kgs (approx age birth to 9-12 months);
• child seats - forward facing and for children 9 kgs to 18 kgs (approx 9 months to 4 years);
• booster seats - for children 15 kgs to 25 kgs (approx 4 to 6 years);
• booster cushions - for children 6 years and up.

4. Why are the rules changing?
The existing regulations were dated from 1993, since when the vast majority of cars are now fitted with both front and rear seat belts, and therefore able to fit and use child car seats.

5. Who is responsible for making sure children are properly restrained in the car?
Drivers are legally responsible for making sure that children under 14 years use seat belts or child restraints in cars, goods vehicles and mini-buses.

6. Does that mean that I may not carry children in just a seat belt until they are over 135cm?
Correct. There are a few exemptions (see below) but parents and carers will need to think ahead about how they, or someone else, will be carrying their child.

7. Why are adult seat not suitable for older children?
Seat belts are best for people over 5ft/150 cms tall, and with an adult bone structure. Children under that age or height need child seats and boosters to put them in the right position to fully benefit from the protection offered by adult seat belts.

8. What if I am carrying more children than I can fit car seats?
If you can only fit two car seats in the rear, a third child (three years or over) may then use an adult belt (or, if there is room, it would be safer for the third child to sit on a child seat or booster seat in the front seat).

9. Are there any exemptions ?
• Taxis - It is impracticable to expect the correct child seats or booster seats to be made available in a taxi, but under 3's can only travel unrestrained in the rear, and those over three must also travel in the rear and use the seat belts. (A child up to 4'5"/135 cms) can only travel in the front seat of a taxi if using the correct child seat/booster.
• Emergency Vehicles (such as ambulances, police cars).
• There is a special exemption for children over 3 years on an occasional journey over a short distance (e.g. unforeseen emergency, friend/relative unexpectedly picking up children from school). This does NOT apply to children under three who must always be in a car seat (except in taxis or emergeny vehicles as above) and a child over three must sit in the rear and use an adult belt.
• Vehicles not fitted with car seats (such as classic cars) can NOT carry under 3's in any circumstances, but children over 3 years may travel unrestrained in the rear or in the front if using a child seat or booster seat.

For more details please visit the Department For Transport website here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_611257.hcsp

Here are the car seats and accessories available to buy online now here at The Kids Window:

	Little Shield - Child Car Booster Seat £10.79 (UK only) Blue Swirl. Suitable for use from approximately 3 years to 12 years (15-36kgs)Group 2/3. Comfortable booster safety seat that raises child to correct position providing window interest and stimulatio...
	Little Shield - Faux Leather Car Booster Seat £11.69 (UK only) Faux Leather. Suitable for use from approximately 3 years to 12 years (15-36kgs) Group 2/3. Comfortable booster safety seat that raises child to correct position providing window interest and stimula...
	Little Shield - Combo CAR SEAT/BOOSTER £44.99 (UK only) (Group 1,2 and 3). "Watch Me Grow" model in navy/red, suitable for use from approximately 9 months to 12 years (9-36kgs). This 3 in 1 car seat converts to a booster as the child grows. Fits both fr...
	Little Shield - Combo CAR SEAT/BOOSTER £26.99 (UK only) (Group 1,2 and 3). Removeable back converts to booster seat. Black/Grey. This novel car seat is suitable for both infants (approx 9m plus) and older children up to approximately 12 years (9-36kgs). A...
	Combi - Combo CAR SEAT/BOOSTER £72.37 (UK only) (Group 2 and 3). In "Black Opal". The kobuk car seat is designed to give the maximum possible safety to your child. It has a curvy generous seat that adjusts as your child grows. The seat also featu...
	Combi - Combi Kobuk Car Seat £80.42 (UK only) (Group 2 and 3). in "Sand Storm". The kobuk car seat is designed to give the maximum possible safety to your child. It has a curvy generous seat that adjusts as your child grows. The seat also featu...
	Red Castle® - Infant Car Seat £130.49 (UK only) State of the art technology, design and comfort. The Red Castle Sport® Infant Car Seat (group 0) has the distinctive feature of allowing a very young child to travel lying flat. It only takes up one ...
	Cosatto - Mobi Car Seat £71.99 (UK only) Suitable from birth, the Mobi 3-1 rear facing car seat is available in three colours and has a removable handle and adjustable canopy. This car seat is compatible with the Cosatto Mobi 3 in 1 travel ...
	Cosatto - Mobi Car Seat £71.99 (UK only) Suitable from birth, the Mobi 3-1 rear facing car seat is available in three colours and has a removable handle and adjustable canopy. This car seat is compatible with the Cosatto Mobi 3 in 1 travel ...
	Wallaboo - Blue Heat Absorbent Infant Car Seat Cover £21.71 US$44.93 €30.17 This tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the infant car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cl...
	Wallaboo - Lime Green Heat Absorbent Infant Car Seat Cover £21.71 US$44.93 €30.17 This tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the infant car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cl...
	Wallaboo - Black Heat Absorbent Infant Car Seat Cover £21.71 US$44.93 €30.17 This tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the infant car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cl...
	Wallaboo - Pink Heat Absorbent Infant Car Seat Cover £21.71 US$44.93 €30.17 This tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the infant car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cl...
	Wallaboo - Chocolate Heat Absorbent Infant Car Seat Cover £21.71 US$44.93 €30.17 This tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the infant car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cl...
	Wallaboo - Blue Heat Absorbent Car Seat Cover £22.51 US$46.60 €31.29 The tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cloth whic...
	Wallaboo - Lime Green Heat Absorbent Car Seat Cover £22.51 US$46.60 €31.29 The tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cloth whic...
	Wallaboo - Black Heat Absorbent Car Seat Cover £22.51 US$46.60 €31.29 The tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cloth whic...
	Wallaboo - Pink Heat Absorbent Car Seat Cover £22.51 US$46.60 €31.29 The tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cloth whic...
	Wallaboo - Chocolate Brown Heat Absorbent Car Seat Cover £22.51 US$46.60 €31.29 This tailored Wallaboo cover doesn’t just look good it helps to keep your child cool when the weather is hot. The middle of the car seat cover is made of a snugly and absorbent cotton terry cloth whi...