By Ashley Bautista,Courtney Eales
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Children are required to use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or reach a height of 135 centimetres. Those over 12 or taller than 135cm must wear a seat belt. A child aged 3 or older can travel in the back seat without a child car seat and without a seat belt if the vehicle does not have one. To correctly utilise a child seat, install the appropriate type of seat for your child’s age, height, and weight. The same rules apply for children with disabilities or medical conditions, but they can use a disabled person’s seat belt or a child restraint designed for their needs. Knowing where to place a baby seat in the car is crucial for the safety of a child. According to the AA , the most common crash involves an impact to the front of a car, meaning that the back seat is usually a “safer place” to travel. The insurance company adds: “The centre-rear seat is the safest place of all for a properly restrained child, because they’re furthest away from any impact and less likely to hit or be hit by deforming, intruding structures.” A child car seat should only be used if your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the seat is either: Gov.uk guidance states that if you own a child car seat you must also: A child aged 3 or older can travel in a back seat without a child car seat and without a seat belt if the vehicle does not have one. In most cases, children under 3 must always be in a child car seat. The regulations differ when the child is travelling in a taxi or minicab, coach or van, on an unplanned journey or when there isn’t space for an additional car seat, reports the Liverpool Echo . Should the driver fail to supply the appropriate child car seat, youngsters may travel without one – but only if they’re seated in the back. Childcarseats.org has outlined the significance of purchasing a car seat that’s appropriate for your youngster. Guidance on its website states: “It is best to take your child and your car with you when choosing your child car seat, and to find a retailer who has staff trained in choosing and fitting child car seats. Try to find a retailer who will help you try the seat in your car before you buy it.” The child car seat you select, must
