New child restraint law

Posted for reference.  I shall refrain from further comment.   

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm

Most states in the US have similar laws.

While I tend to think seatbelt laws are outlawing stupidity, when the stupidity of the parent might affect that of the child, I personally have to be supportive of these types of laws.

I'm always shocked at the number of people who drive off with their small children unrestrained in any way.

I'm always shocked at the number of people who drive off with their small children unrestrained in any way.

You should see how people travel in Asia. I have seen a family of five on a 125cc Scooter.    See it all the time actually.

Posted for reference.  I shall refrain from further comment.   

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm

Paul, I'm amazed at your restraint! 

Actually, although I understand your position regarding seat belts (even though I don't agree with you  ) I wholeheartedly support proper restraint laws for children. They are not old enough to make the choice for themselves and too many parents are either ignorant of proper restraint techniques or ingore them. Children are the most vulnerable of our passengers and should be protected.

Remember Paul, you said that you would refrain from further comment! 

Darn!  Now why did I go and say a silly thing like that?   

Just to clarify the position, the law due to come into force on 9/18/06 is not the first child-restraint law, it is a tightening of the existing rules.

And while I shall keep to what I said and not get into another argument about the rights and wrongs of the laws, I would point out that as with the existing legislation the new rules are littered with inconsistencies.

What is the law for taxis? When your child is older/too big for the baby car seats that you can carry around with you, you can't be expected to lug a static car seat around with you all the time for use in taxis, so what do you do? None, none of the taxis I have ridden in here have ever had a car seat available for use, so color me Britney Spears.    (We don't own a car.)

What is the law for taxis?

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm#12

12. What about travelling in licensed taxis?

It is impracticable to expect the right child seat or booster to be available in a taxi unless parents have brought one with them. Therefore, there is an exception so that if child restraints are not available in a licensed taxi or licensed private hire vehicle:

            under 3s may travel unrestrained but in the rear only;

            those 3 years and above must use an adult belt in the rear seat only.

            Remember that a child up to 135 cms in a front seat of any vehicle must use the correct child seat or booster.

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for seat belt wearing by children under 14 years (except in taxis with fixed partitions).

Thanks very much for the information, Paul - it is very good to know!

Glad to see it's height dependent.  My elder niece at 10 years old was 5ft., 3in. tall and 105 lbs.   

Now, at 12, she's bigger than the average adult female in the US, height wise.

I cant say I agree with the new laws. I believe this is another case of it should be up to each parents discretion. I have four sons. The eldest is 11 and very large for his age so there are no worries with him but I also have an 8.5 year old son who I just will not force in a booster seat. We always wear seatbelts and my two and four year olds are in their car seats but I cant see my 8 year old agreeing to sit in a booster seat and risk the chance of getting bullied at school. I dont think Im compromising my sons' safety by seatbelting them in the car sans car seat.