The law and kids booster seats.

Kevin Welch · Jul 26, 2006

I think I've heard somewhere recently about a new law requiring that children have to be seated on booster seats. If this is true how does it relate to our cars where the rear seats are designed purely for children (I defy a 'normal' adult to sit in one for more than 5 minutes)?

Diver944 · Jul 26, 2006

I don't think you'll get round the law that way Kevin [

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I've been hearing this advertised on the radio. I believe if you have a child under 4 foor 5 inches then they have to be restrained by a proper booster seat of some sort. I'm sure a google will come up with the full facts

Kevin Welch · Jul 26, 2006

Thanks Paul
It seems my Grandson needs to grow 2 inches between now and September 18. If he fails to comply with this requirement the next question is "where the heck do I get a booster cushion that fits my rear seats"? [&:]

chrisdenton · Jul 27, 2006

Personally I think the rear seats in my cab are far safer than a £5.99 booster seat in the back of my wifes grand voyager. I take my kids welfare very seriously and I've never heard of anyone being pulled for having kids in the back of a 944 so I wouldn't worry too much.

sawood12 · Jul 27, 2006

From what i've read so far it seems to just say:-
Under 3 yrs old "the correct child restraint must be used"

if the child is 3-11 yrs old and under 150cm in height "The correct safety restraint must be used if available, if not an adult safety belt must be worn"

The definition of child restraint differes to cover various ages, heights and weights but the booster seat is defined as 15kg to 25kg (usually 4 to 6 yrs)

So that seems to me that booster seats are not specifically mentioned. Anyway heres the link of the site i've found so you can see if you can make any more sense of it.

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm#01

Mine is not due until Monday, but I've bought a cracking pram where the car seat clips directly from a base station in the car and into the pram, and the best thing is it fits fine in the front passenger seat of the 944. However i'm not sure the wife is impressed with the idea of being stuck in the back. Never thought i'd get into the features and specifications of prams but they are amazing pieces of engineering - real sci-fi transformers in disguise stuff.

If the wife still hasn't dropped on Sunday I'm thinking of getting out for a few hours on Sunday to visit that event at Elvaston Castle on Sunday 30th. It might be my last chance for a while.

Kevin Welch · Jul 27, 2006

Hi Chris
Thanks for your response. As the law stands at the moment my grandson can legally travel in the rear seat using the seat belt as fitted by Porsche but on September 18 this becomes illegal and knowing how our local erstwhile upholders of the law would never dream of enforcing this new law/reaching targets I would prefer to be in a position whereby I could indicate by counting my fingers that I have 2 rear seats.[

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sawood12 · Jul 27, 2006

The confusion to me is that is says " the correct safety restraint must be used if available, if not an adult seatbelt must be worn"

That sounds to me that if you were pulled over you've be alright as long as you didn't have an unused booster seat in the boot or in the cabin. But that's just my interpretation.

Kevin Welch · Jul 27, 2006

Scott
It's all in the wording e.g.
Where seat belts fitted, correct child restraint MUST be used.

Must use adult belt if the correct child restraint is not available:
- in a licensed taxi/private hire vehicle; or
- for a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity; or
- two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third.

A child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available.

As seat belts are fitted in my car then the first point will apply unless it is an urgent and unplanned short journey.

Perhaps the new law is a good one but what happens if you cannot comply simply because a booster seat meeting the E.C. code requirement is not available for our cars, as evidenced by Britax who cannot even respond to a search on their website.
Do owners who have children leave them at home when they use their cars or do they,by necessity, become heinous criminals by the standards of english justice?

I'll get off my soapbox now! [

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Kevin Welch · Jul 27, 2006

Been doing some research and so far the only booster seat suitable for our cars rear seats appears to be the Official Porsche Version.
Cost of an average booster seat from my local parts shop is £5.95
Cost of a booster seat from OPC £186.00
Both appear to be made of expanded polystyrene but the porsche version is probably covered with the latest fashionable unobtainium.

If anyone can supply details of other suppliers I would be very happy to stand corrected in my views about being "ripped off".

Guest · Jul 27, 2006

There is a company advertises in PP (p123 currrent issue) that does child seats for all models.
When I enquired they said their seat would definitely fit the 944 - it's a full seat but the base comes off to be the booster bit.
Cost £75 I remember.
Never got round to getting one yet though.

skendrick · Jul 27, 2006

How can the law justify fining people who strap their children in the back of sports car when they can't be bothered to fine people for using mobile phones. I know I'm a safer driver with my children in the car than some rep with a phone stuck to his ear.

I will get off my soap box now.