A FIFTH of parents are risking kids’ lives and a £500 fine for failing to use correct car seats
ONE in five British parents are risking more than just a hefty fine by failing to use the correct children's car seat, a recent study has found.
New laws were introduced a year ago but drivers are still unclear on the rules and are putting kids in danger as a result.
The rules state kids are now required to use car seats until they are either 12 years old or 135cm (4ft5in) tall.
Failing to follow these new car seat regulations can land you with a £500 fine.
But according to a survey conducted by Confused.com, one in five parents said they rarely or never use a car seat when driving with their children under the age of 12.
Since 2016, the number of child seat belt offences hit 4,600 - but latest figures suggest the problem is much worse.
What are the laws on using child car seats?
- Children are required to use car seats until they are either 12 years old or 135cm (4ft5in) tall, and they should be selected based on height or weight
- Only EU approved seats can be used in the UK
- Children's seats can only be fixed to car seats with diagonal belts, unless the seat is designed for lap belts or has ISOFIX anchor points
- Children over the age of 12 or taller than 135cm must wear a seat belt
- Tots should be in a baby carrier, as opposed to a child seat, until they weigh at least 9kg
- Babies must travel in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 15 months old
- Manufacturers can no longer introduce new models of backless booster seats for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg
Nearly half of parents admitted to being involved in an accident with their kid in the car, who wasn't in a car seat or wearing a seat belt at the time.
Part of the problem is confusion of the rules with 88 per cent of parents admitting they didn't understand what seat they should be using for their kids.
Worryingly, a third of drivers said they didn't use one because they didn't feel like their child needed one.
To help beat the uncertainty Confused.com has created a based on age and weight to help parents figure out the type and rating of car seat their child needs.
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “The car seat regulations introduced in February last year (2017) are still causing confusion among parents, so we wanted to make it clearer by creating Confused.com’s child car seat calculator.
“Crash impact films show what a difference having the correct car seat can make to your child’s protection.
latest motors news
"And while the rules might be confusing, they are in place to make sure children are as safe as possible.
"Mums and dads who do not comply with the law risk face fines of up to £500.
"Parents who are still baffled by the law should take a look at Confused.com’s guide to choosing the right child car seat, or use the calculator to find one that is best suited for their age or weight.”