New rules on seat belts planned

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

New regulations on seat belts proposed
Particular emphasis on child safety
Legislation expected to apply from September

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The government has announced proposals for new regulations aimed at improving road safety through more appropriate use of child restraints.

The government estimates that 2000 casualties could be saved if all drivers ensure that their passengers adhere to the new regulations.

The new rules are intended to bring the UK into line with the rest of Europe with regard to seat belts. The director of RoadSafe, a road safety partnership which links government, the road safety industry and the motor industry, thinks drivers should act now, and not wait for legislation.

'Although these regulations will bring us into line with Europe, there is no reason why responsible drivers should not insist on all passengers wearing belts now. It is staggering just how often they simply don't bother – worse still, many parents don't use appropriate child seats, and even allow young children to sit in the front of cars,' said RoadSafe director Adrian Walsh.

At the heart of the regulations, set out in EC Directive 2003/20/EC, are these stipulations:

• All children under three years old must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in any car or goods vehicle (except in the rear of a taxi if a child seat is not available).

• Children aged three or more and up to 135cm in height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars or goods vehicles fitted with seat belts.

• Where seat belts are fitted, the number of people in the rear of vehicles may not exceed the number of seats available fitted with seat belts or child restraints (this part will apply from May 2009).

The new rules are not expected to come into force until September.