Children must be in an approved child restraint until their seventh birthday after the law came in to effect on Friday.
This means, children are required to use an approved car seat until they turn seven, and seven-year-olds are to use a booster or car sear if one is available.
The rule change was agreed by Cabinet in 2012 and signed in June this year, providing parents and caregivers four months to ensure they have appropriate child restraints, such as booster or car seats.
The new law extends the mandatory age by two years. Previously, children between five and seven years old were required to use a restraint only if the vehicle had a seat or cushion.
SunLive asked members of the public what their thoughts were on the new law.
5 comments
saftey first
Posted on 03-11-2013 07:48 | By whatsinaname
i think its a good idea . also children to be in the back seat. The gentleman in the video saying its going to be hard to keep children in car seat restrained ........ if you start children in a car seat when babies and keep them in one they dont no any different. Its essential to keep children safe in vehicles..... Not hard to strap them in. . I bought my grandchild a car seat restraint when he was born and it will last till he is 7 longer. There are some that you have to change as the child grows bigger.Thats when it is expensive changing them all the time..............
Common sense
Posted on 03-11-2013 08:12 | By SonnyJim
Unfortunately we have laws that are not 'needed' but are created to keep the insensible in check.
Needs to be properly monitored
Posted on 03-11-2013 10:13 | By MrsT
and rules enforced. I know parents who have proper restraints in their cars....but.... they are not installed fully, eg mounted by tether strap to the floor, or they are in the front seat, the child thinks it is a treat to ride in the front. Or the restraint belts are so loose that the child has no trouble sliding them down. These seats are less than useless.I've seen booster seats where the belts are not put on properly and children in seats designed for far bigger children
Puzzled
Posted on 03-11-2013 17:56 | By Jitter
Shoudln't it be based on size and weight not age. Some 8 year olds are very small and light and should still be in booster seats. Age alone is not the measure that should be used. Then again some six year olds are bigger and heavier than eight year olds. The age limit does not make sense to me..
Yip
Posted on 04-11-2013 08:01 | By chriswa
Good news but will only happen with the honest ones, bit like wearing a seat belt or having a reg and wof. Its amazing how many cars are on our roads without regos and wofs.
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