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Monday 18th September 2006 was a momentous day for UK children; at a stroke, the Government enacted legislation enforcing the use of appropriate car seats when travelling in all or nearly all road vehicles. To place this legislation into context the then Road Safety Minister, Stephen Ladyman, said, “We estimate that these changes could prevent over 2000 child deaths or injuries each year”

As with most regulations, the details can be complex and this guide aims to explain these regulations and help you to make an informed choice of seat for your baby. To help you further this Guide also covers older children and briefly discusses the law in other countries.

As with all guides to legislation, the reader should refer to the published official document which may be found at www.dft.gov.uk

Car Seats and the Law

Before we provide you with an easy to use listing of the rules, the following is an extract of the published Law:

“Children under 3 years MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles). There is only one exception:-

A child under three may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available.

Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.

In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children 3 years to 135cm in height (approx 4ft 5ins) MUST use the appropriate child restraint.

Three exceptions allow these children to travel in the rear and use an adult belt:-

• In a taxi, if the right child restraint is not available.
• For a short distance in an unexpected necessity, if the right child restraint is not available.
• Where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat.”

From May 2008 all child restraints must comply with UN ECE 44.03 standard or above.

The following table is an extract from the legislation document and shows Seat belt/child restraint requirements for cars, taxis and private hire cars

Non-compliance is a max fine of £500.

Car Seats by Group.

Car seats are categorised by the child’s weight with age as a secondary approximate guide. Although there are seats which cover several of the Groups it is better to use a seat which covers no more than 2 Groups. This is due to the compromises which would need to be made for that “all purpose design”.

Car Seat Groups Explained

Group 0 and 0+ Car Seats

These are Rear Facing Baby Seats which should be used in the rear of the car. They may be placed in the front provided the frontal air bag is disabled; usually there is an indicator to confirm this status. If there is any doubt then use the rear position. These seats are designed to afford maximum protection to baby’s head and neck and should be used for as long as possible but within the weight range.

Group 1 Car Seats

These are Forward Facing Child Seats and may be used in the front or rear although it is safer to use them in the rear due to the frontal airbag.

Group 2 Car Seats

These are high backed Booster Seats which may be used in front or rear but are safer when used in the rear.

Group 3 Car Seats

These are Booster Cushions which may be used in the front or rear and do not have a harness. The normal adult seat belt is used.

Car Seat Fixtures Explained

Car seats have traditionally used the normal seat belts to anchor the seat to the vehicle. This works OK but requires careful fitting to ensure that the belt is sufficiently tight and that the belt buckle does not come into contact with the seat.

It is essential to read and follow the fitting instructions precisely.

Generally a belt restrained car seat will fit most cars but check the car manual for details.

To overcome the problems of fitting car seats by using the seat belt a standardised system has been developed which allows the car seat to be “plugged” into the vehicle-installed ISOFIX points. As with any new standard it has a “phasing in” process. All cars from 2002 should have these points and will be detailed in the car manual.

There are 3 types of fixings within ISOFIX as follows.

Universal

This provides 3 fixing points for Forward Facing Seats – from 2006

Semi Universal

This has 2 ISOFIX points with a front support leg and is applicable to all groups – from 2002.

Car Specific

This has 2 ISOFIX points which may be converted to Universal by use of a strap.

Please Note: Many car seat manufacturers have models which are both belt-restrained and ISOFIX, thereby providing maximum flexibility.

Deciding on the Right Car Seat

Firstly, consider baby’s weight which will dictate the Group. Ideally you should move through the Groups one by one (with the exception of Group 0 and 0+ which are often combined) since these are specifically designed to maximise body protection. However, well designed multi-Group seats from well known manufacturers should be fine.

Decide on the car(s) to be used, remembering that Granny’s vehicle will need to be included as well as a child minder’s car if applicable. Many parents opt for the belt fixing as it’s usually more flexible but does require careful fitting; be prepared to “instruct” your relatives.

Check the car manual to establish the fixing system.

Check on the Britax and Maxi Cosi web sites if you are purchasing these models.

You might be tempted to buy second-hand. This should not be contemplated since the history of the seat is unknown and it could have been weakened internally. Instructions are often missing with second-hand seats. Never use a car seat which has been involved in a vehicle accident.

Car Seat Regulations in Other Countries

When travelling abroad in your own or a hire car, check out the regulations before you travel.

If pre-booked, hire car companies can usually provide safety seats.

There are wide variations from country to country. The best source of information is the car hire company, travel company or the country’s Embassy.

Please note that in the USA there is little concept of unity, with each State having it’s own regulations, e.g. West Virginia allows children over 3 years to wear adult seat belts whilst the child must be over 6 years old in California. Other states have complex regulations.

In Germany children under 12 or who are less than 1.5m tall are prohibited from travelling in the front seat and must be in the rear in a suitable child seat.

In France children under 10 are prohibited from the front seat. A rear facing seat for babies may however be used in the front seat (disabled air bag is assumed)

About the author:  Trevor is the founder of Hello Baby and father of two screaming children. Read more from this author