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What are the new rules on child car booster seats?
The regulations surrounding car booster seats for children changed on Thursday 9th February, but according to new research, the regulations have proven confusing for parents, and many are still not aware of the change. Molly Puntis, Personal Injury Claims Handler, here explains exactly what the regulations are, who they affect, and what steps parents should take.
Booster seat safety
The change in rules has come following new EU regulations concerning the backless car booster seats, known more commonly as booster cushions, as these types of seats do not offer protection for children of certain height and weight in side-on collisions. “The confusion around the new regulations has arisen due to two different dates being announced,” explains Molly. “The facts are that the changes only apply to manufacturers of the seats, and from the 9th February, manufacturers are no longer allowed to make the booster cushions designed for children shorter than 125cm, or 4ft 1 inch, or weighing less than 22kg, or 3st 6.5lbs. The 1st March, the second date associated with the news, is when the rules are expected to be fully implemented.”
Further confusion has arisen as parents who already own a backless booster seat can continue to use them. “This is sending mixed messages to parents; while manufacturers are to discontinue production of these seats, parents can still use them for their children,” explains Molly.
What are the car seat regulations?
There are many regulations surrounding using a car seat for your child. “To begin, a car seat must be used for any children under 12 or 135cm tall; once they reach one of these milestones, parents can stop using them if they choose,” continues Molly. “The new laws specify that the backless booster seats should not be used for children shorter than 125cm, or 4ft 1 inch, or weighing less than 22kg, or 3st 6.5lbs and these are the restrictions manufacturers must now abide by.”
When parents buy a car seat, they must ensure they are buying one suitable for their child’s height, weight and age. “Car seats come in different variations, not just based on the child but also the model of your car,” explains Molly. “The correct anchor points or seatbelt straps must be used, and front air bags must be de-activated if using a rear-facing baby seat in the front passenger seat. Parents must use EU-approved seats, which will be symbolised with a capital 'E' and the code 'ECE R44'.”
What are the penalties of using the wrong car seat?
If caught with the incorrect booster seat for their child’s age, weight and height, parents could face a fine of £100.
According to research conducted by Confused.com, in 2015 there were 4,600 incidents of UK drivers breaking the child seat belt laws. “The same research shows that more than a third of parents admit to occasionally not using a booster seat for their child,” continues Molly. “There are many reasons that have been given for this, and we urge parents to not only consider the financial penalty of using the wrong car seat, but more importantly their child’s safety. There are reasons why they are produced differently dependent on age, weight and height, and they all impact on the safety and welfare of a child should they be in a collision on the roads.”
Molly concludes, “Only 13% of parents know what the rules are surrounding child car booster seats, a worrying figure when considering the devastating consequences that can come from a collision, something we see regularly. Parents should also replace their car seat after a collision, as the structural integrity of the seat will be damaged and no longer able to offer protection to the child. There can be no price put on the safety of children travelling in our cars, and we hope that these new regulations will help to raise awareness of the importance of having the correct booster seat for your child.”
If you have questions about the new laws, or you have been in a road traffic collision and have questions about claiming compensation, you can contact Molly or the Injury team on 0800 91 92 30 or email injuryteam@warnergoodman.co.uk.
ENDS
This is for information purposes only and is no substitute for, and should not be interpreted as, legal advice. All content was correct at the time of publishing and we cannot be held responsible for any changes that may invalidate this article.