New year, new car seat rules. It feels that way at least in
the United Kingdom.
In the United Kingdom, driving with your children in tow
could earn you £500 once you break the rules. The new rules as of March 1,
tomorrow, would be as follows:
If your child is below 12 years old or below 135 centimetres
in height, they are required to wear a seatbelt at all times. The seatbelts
must be diagonal or the lap belt must be fastened tightly.
Children below two years of age and weighing under 9
kilograms are required to travel in a baby carrier rather than a child seat.
Children below 15 months must ride in a rear-faced seat. If your seat is
weight-based, it must remain rear-faced until the child reaches 13 kilograms.
Only in case of emergencies can children travel without car
seats. But driving a child without proper child seats further than 1 kilometre
is automatically an offence.
No new specifications on car seats exist -- meaning parents
with existing child seats they are still using will not be fined. However,
high-backed booster seats are encouraged to protect children on the roads. Seat
requirements for the child's age, height and weight are mandatory else the
parent will face a £500 fine.