By Robert Dalling

Copyright walesonline

When it comes to driving with your child in the car, experts are reminding parents that there are set rules and regulations they must abide by. This includes having them in a car seat whilst travelling until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Not only is your child required to be in a car seat until then, but for babies under 15 months, that seat must be rear facing. However, it is recommended to keep them rear-facing as long as possible for maximum safety. Kirsty Carroll, showroom manager at children’s nursery retailer and car seat experts, Kiddies Kingdom, said: “If parents are found not abiding by this law, the typical on-the-spot fixed penalty is £60 plus three penalty points, however, if the case goes to court, the maximum fine can rise to £500. “There are some notable exceptions to this law. For example, if you are in a taxi, no car seat is needed. The same goes for a minibus, coach or van if there is no room for a car seat.” Kiddies Kingdom has also shared the following four other laws that every parent should know about. Using a non-approved child seat “In the UK, only EU-approved height-based or weight-based child car seats meet legal requirements,” Ms Carroll said. “Look for an orange label with a capital ‘E’ in a circle and the R129 stamp for height-based seats or ECE R44 for weight-based seats. If buying a car seat online, always make sure to check the label carefully to make sure the seat meets these criteria. Using a non-approved child seat is treated the same as not using a proper restraint at all and can result in a court fine of up to £500. But beyond the financial repercussions, using a non-approved seat puts children at a much higher risk of injury, as they haven’t been tested against the rigorous EU/UK standards.” Rear facing car seat in the passenger seat Ms Carroll said: “Parents should never place their child’s rear-facing seat in the front passenger seat unless they have deactivated the airbag, as not only is it dangerous but it is also against the law, and you risk up to a £500 fine. “The airbag must be deactivated if you have your child rear-facing in the passenger seat, but even then, I highly advise against it, as transporting your child in the back is always safer. If you are still unsure, it’s best to check your car’s handbook or contact your car’s manufacturer to find out.” Using a tablet to play a children’s show Ms Carroll said: “To always exercise proper control of your vehicle you must not use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, such as a tablet for any purpose. Children often use tablet devices in cars, so this rule also includes helping them to adjust it when driving. The law still applies if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. Drivers found to be breaking it can face six points on their licence and a £200 fine and if taken to court, they can be banned from driving or get a maximum fine of £1,000.” Not engaging child lock Ms Carroll said: “Driving in the car with children without engaging the child lock could be considered irresponsible. If the door opens mid-drive, it is likely to cause careless driving which could result in points on your license, a fine of up to £5000 and even the loss of your license depending on the severity of the situation. “These laws are set in place for the safety of you and your children. Keep clued up on the latest laws and regulations so you don’t find yourself with license points, a hefty fine, or potential harm to you, your child or others on the road.” Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice