Grandparents need to measure up

• Grandparents need to update on new child seat laws
• A quarter of families rely on 'silver chauffeurs'
• New seating rules kick in next Monday, September 18

Latest News

• 2012 Vauxhall Mokka review
• 2012 BMW 7 Series unveiled
• 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler review
• 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder review

Grandparents need to know their way around new child seat laws coming into force next Monday.

The RAC Foundation is concerned that few older-generation drivers may understand, or be equipped for the new laws, which insist on the use of an appropriate seat or booster cushion for all children under the age of 12 or under 135cm (4ft 5") in height.

The foundation says a quarter of all families rely on 'silver chauffeurs' every week, and that the UK's 13.5 million grandparents need to pack a tape measure the next time they give their grandchildren a lift.

Few older drivers will have been reached by promotional activity targeted at parents, the foundation warns. Executive director of the Foundation Edmund King said grandparents also need to be strict in following the new laws.

'The real battle for image-conscious kids will be to get them back into the booster seats they thought they had grown out of,' he said. 'Grandparents must avoid being a soft touch.'

A whatcar.com survey of motorists in August found 60% didn't know what the new law requires. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is optimistic that a five-fold increase in traffic to its site shows that the message is beginning to get across, however.

If you still don't know what the new laws are, click here to visit ROSPA's site or here for our advice section.