In almost all cases, every child up to 135cms (4' 5") or the age of 12 (whichever is reached first) must use a child restraint and drivers may not carry children as passengers just in seat belts.
Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a front air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.
Wigan Council's road safety team operate a low cost infant carrier hire scheme for residents. The seat available for hire is suitable for babies from birth to approximately 8 months of age (up to 10kg or 22lbs in weight). Short-term monthly hire is also available.
You can also hire car seats for older children from the team for a short period of time. A forward facing seat, which is suitable for children aged from approximately 8 months to 7 years (9kg to 25kg, or 20lbs to 55lbs), can also be hired for 1 week or up to a maximum of 4 weeks.
Both these seats are secured in vehicles with the lap and diagonal inertia reel seatbelt and are easy to fit. Road safety staff also offer free information and advice about selecting an appropriate child safety seat. A free child safety seat checking service is also available. Contact us on 01942 488250.
We can arrange training on the selection and correct use of in-car safety equipment for professionals involved in child care, particularly midwifery staff and Health Visitors.
Teddy Takes a Tumble
This campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of children not being properly restrained in cars and to cut the number of accidents each year.
One in ten children are still unrestrained in the back seat of cars despite the fact that research shows that it takes less than a fifth of a second for an unrestrained child to fly through the windscreen and die in a crash. The Teddy Takes A Tumble video and accompanying booklet is an excellent way to get the message across to parents and their young children.
All nurseries can request a free Teddy Takes A Tumble activity pack, which contains a video and a booklet and sticker for each child. The video and booklet tell the story of Billy and his favourite teddy in the back seat of his mother’s car. Billy is properly restrained but Teddy is not...and when the car breaks suddenly, Teddy is thrown into the windscreen.
If you would like to request a free Teddy Takes A Tumble activity pack, call the road safety team on 01942 488250.
Car seat legislation
Children under 3 years MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles). There is only one exception:
- a child under three may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available.
Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.
In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children 3 years to 135 cms in height (approx 4ft 5ins) MUST use the appropriate child restraint.
Three exceptions allow these children to travel in the rear and use an adult belt :
- in a taxi, if the right child restraint is not available;
- for a short distance in an unexpected necessity, if the right child restraint is not available;
- where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitting of a third child seat.
The rules have been in effect since 18 September 2006. Further regulations will come into force from May 2008, when all child restraints must comply with the UN ECE 44.03 standard (or subsequent versions, for example 44.04). Child seats to the 44.03 standard have been on sale for many years.
Failure to comply with the current legislation may result in a £30 fixed penalty notice. If a case goes to court, the maximum fine is £500.
