Child car seats become compulsory

By Martin Cassidy
BBC Northern Ireland environment correspondent

Most adults take seat belts for granted - but in an accident kids are much more vulnerable to serious head and internal injuries.

There is an exemption if there is no room for three car seats

That is why the government has now made car restraints compulsory for children in Northern Ireland.

Backed up by £500 fines, the government says children up to 135 ccm or 4.5ft tall must now use an appropriate child restraint.

The Department of the Environment says most parents make sure they put very small children into baby seats but as children get older some are put straight into adult seat belts, which are just not suitable.

Car seat expert Simon Bellamy says children need protected differently at each stage of their development and it is vitally important that they have the appropriate restraints to provide that protection.

The new rules mean that in cars and goods vehicles, children under three years of age must always be carried in a baby or child seat appropriate to their weight.

The big change is that children aged three to 12 and under 135cm (whichever occurs first) must use a booster seat.

The booster seat is designed to cushion the considerable forces which a seat belt exerts on the the body during a collision.

'Life and death'

For children this could mean the difference between life and death.

With booster seats costing as little as £10, or even less, money should not be an issue.

For many parents the biggest problem may be to persuade children under 4ft 5ins or 135cm that the new law applies to them.

But with £30 spot fines and court penalties of up to £500 the government means business and it is the driver of the vehicle who must pay.

Three exceptions will allow children under 135cm to travel in the back of a car and use an adult belt:-

In a taxi, if the correct child restraint is not available;

For a short distance in an unexpected necessity;

Where two occupied child seats prevent the fitting of a third.

The government has also reminded older children and adults that, in most cases where seat belts are fitted in buses and coaches, they will have to be used.

"Where seatbelts are fitted on coaches, passengers aged 14 years and over will be required to use them," said David Young of the DoE.

There will be stiff penalties for those who do not comply.

The government says the new law will help make road journeys safer for children.