the law is changing,from September(in England) every kids under 12 will have to be in a car seat ,?

Question

what do you think of the new law?

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htm

what happen if you have 3 kids under 12 or the height limit do you buy a new car?
your views please.

read the link:
Cars - Children Aged 12 or 13 years or younger children 1.5 metres or more in height
If carried in the front or rear seat, an adult seat belt MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.

by the way I am 1.50metre but I am 31 years old do I need a car seat?!?

Answer 1

It actually says use an adult seat belt if child restraints are not available.
Toy-r-us actually have a cardboard cut out to show the height but they have it at 135 or 140cms not 150cms, so I need to check myself.
I have an 8 year old that's 148cms but I'll get something if my local police officer tells me to. Safety first!

Answer 2

"There are three exemptions, where a child in this category does not have to use a child restraint. In each case the child MUST use the adult belt instead. They are -

1) in a licensed taxi or licensed hire car;

2) if the child is travelling on a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;

3) if there are two occupied child restraints in the rear which prevent the fitment of a third."

It's a bit of a nuisance, by the look of it. There doesn't seem to be an exception for fat kids. I mean some kids are little barrels of joy. They might not be able to get their bums into one of those things.

I suppose the idea is that car seat belts are designed to fit adult sized people and actually pose a danger to smaller children.

You should be able to get away with just having two child seats for the back. That is going to be a pain. I'm glad I don't have any now.

Answer 3

I'm not sure I really understand the problem here.

If you have three kids under 12, you put two on the back seat, one in the front. Or, all three on the back seat.

The law says they must use a child restraint IF AVAILABLE, or failing that, an adult restraint IF AVAILABLE. It's basically been brought in to give the police better powers to deal with the moron parents who leave their six year old loose on the back seat of the car, primed to go flying through the front windscreen if there's an accident.

In any circumstance, there's no need to buy a new car. If you happen to own a pre-1970s car which doesn't have seat belts, well, they're not available. So, there's no problem.

In a nutshell, the new law says that you need to make your children wear a seat belt. End of story.

Answer 4

I think its a very good idea that children should be in either the child seats or booster seats they are going to have to be in from September, at the end of my street is a junior and infant school and everyday the parents come driving like maniacs on the street with their little darlings either standing on the seats of the car or knelt up on them, we have even seen then stood up on car seats with their heads out of the sunroof these young kiddies, the parents obviously have no respect or care for their children by allowing them to do that, its dangerous and irresponsible, children like adults should be sat properly in cars and belted up either in their seat or on booster seats, I guess if you have 3 children under the age of 12 and your back seat isn't wide enough to take either three child seats or booster cushions then maybe a letter to the government for answers to that might not go amiss, maybe a they should give parents with three or more kids a huge grant to use for a car more suitable to the family, after all the law works both ways, maybe you could campaign for larger cars for larger families, good luck.

Answer 5

I think that is a little over doing it. Where we live they have to be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 or weigh 48 pounds. And we do have 3 kids. And ended up getting a van. At 12 most kids are pretty big and should be just fine with a seat belt. But that is just my opinion.

Answer 6

I think it's rediculous. I didn't read your attached link, however. But 12 is crazy. When I was 12, I was 5'4" tall. That's how tall my mother is right now. I think it would be more appropriate to go by height. But then you're going to have a problem as well because what if you find a 50 year old woman who is 4'9" tall and she would be considered under the height requirement? Would she have to drive in a car seat. Sorry, but it's ludicrous. I understand that the shoulder belts may not fit properly but that is something that should be accomodated by the automobile companies.

Answer 7

it would be interesting to see thea law in action.. how would someone be prosecuted if there are 3 children in the back seat; i doubt most cars would have room in the back for 3 seats. What would happen if there are 2 adults and 2 children in the back ? I assume from this law the children would not be allowed to sit on the lap of the adults. It would be a difficult law to be policed, i should think

Answer 8

Well My view on the subject is that, children under a height requirement should have to ride in a car seat and those who have special circumstances should be accommodated to. Of coerce. The thing is that I don't think that the law should have an age requirement.

Answer 9

Check out your own link, your answer is on there.
I think it should have been made compulsory ages ago, my 5yr old has NEVER been in a car without her seat. Adult seat-belts alone are not a good enough restraint and seeing as she is my world why would I even consider putting her at risk ?? I drive for a living and know the roads are full of lunatics and should one of them lunatics (god forbid) ever plough into my car I want to give my child the best protection ever

Ps I have paramedic friends and believe me THEY know it is a good thing, need I say more

Pss on the link read..Why do children need child restraints maybe it'll help sway you

Check it out

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm

Answer 10

New car Vs dead children?
New seats Vs dead children?
Argument with son Vs Dead children?
£50 Vs Dead children

an estimated 2000 little boys and girls will not die horribly because of this law.
I am all for it

And it is based on height so your 12 year old may be tall enough to do without