8 replies to this topic

[Small orange giraffe]

Hi all,

soz if this is the wrong forum to post in, but thought this would be the best one.

I have 2 step-kids aged 5 & 7, with the new laws in force, do I still need child car seats for them?

The seatbelts fit nicely on them as obv. the car is very small, and feel that with booster seats the seatbelt would cut across their necks.

I've looked on various websites and on the Q&A pages, but can't find anything that will answer my question.

Do any of you mini drivers have kids and have the same concerns?

[Rodders]

yes there is a minimum age and hight requirement for kids not to be in car seats unless the trip is unplanned and an emergency. children under 12 and under the minimum hight must be on a booster or in a child seat of some description.


will look for the minimum hight for you.

Martin

135 cms or 5ft 4"

Edited by Rodders, 17 October 2006 - 01:22 PM.

[Small orange giraffe]

Hi Rodders,

Thanks for your reply. I know about the law and rules etc, but I was just wondering whilst the booster seats are needed for safety and to protect infant bones etc and as my car is a mini and very small the seat belts without booster seats fit them perfectly. If they were to have booster seats the seat belts would not fit them perfectly and thus maybe cause more damage?

I'm just wondering if mini's are an exception to the rules, altho I have read many sites and can only find the usual exceptions (emergencies and taxi's etc)

[Rodders]

unfortunatly there are no exceptions for size or specific make. your choice but the police wont take to kindly to you not having your kids in seats.

[philster]

Can you not just get a very low profile booster seat?

[biggav]

as philster said, just a booster cushion should do the job. By raising the point that the child sits on, the strap should cross the shoulder better than without it and be less likely to foul on the neck, also the lap part of the belt is far more effective on children when in a booster seat.. something to do with the angle of anchorage or sommat.. Don't be tempted to drive without them though as its a real hot potato for the law at the moment.

[Guess-Works.com]

fortunately my 8 Year old is tall enough to not need one, but I have one hanging around just in case we get any of his whimpy mates in the car !

[biggav]

Under 3's MUST be fitted in a child seat at ALL times, 3-12 must be fitted in an approved child seat with seatbelts WHERE FITTED. The law makes allowances for Emergency situtuations where no seat is available and for Taxi's. If you have no seatbelts in the rear, you don't have to have booster seats and the kids can sit in the back without them. (though it'd be a bit silly).

A Child seat must have a CE mark and have been tested for the roll in which it is being used.. (people carriers with rear facing seats cannot be used with child seats which have only been tested in a foreward facing position. Land rover bench style seats are a no no.

Basically, if seatbelts are fitted, the child must use them with a booster.

[charminbear]

Do any of you mini drivers have kids and have the same concerns?

I have a 5 and a 6 year old and a 1980 GT (which does not require for rear belts to be fitted)

Legally I can carry my kids in the back WITHOUT any seatbelts at all !!! (which I would NEVER do)

If I fit seatbelts I then have to use booster seats - which put their heads above the level of the top of the rear seat - leaving them open to SEVERE whiplash or de-capitition in the event of an accident (heaven forbid)

What I have done (after a lot of careful thought) is installed late 1970's lap belts (which clip in like a racing harness) and lab belt adaptors (which also clip in) that convert the lap belt into a 4 point harness - much the same as you find in forward facing child car seats.

IF I ever get stopped I will argue my case, in my opinion my kids are safer if their heads are supported by the seat back. If they still get snotty I will remove the belts (takes about 30 seconds)

We use highback boosters on the odd ocasion we are in the 88 mayfair that has 3 point belts but these hit on the rear windscreen.......not really good.