Chaos over new rules on booster seats for toddlers
NEW rules on child car seats will confuse parents, experts warned last night.
Manufacturers will no longer be able to produce backless boosters for smaller children.
Parents who own one can still use it if their child weighs at least 2st 5lb (15kg). But any new booster seats that manufacturers put out will have stricter size thresholds.
Children using them will have to weigh at least 3st 6.5lb (22kg) and be taller than 4ft 1in (125cm).
The regulations stem from the United Nations, which sets safety standards for car seats. Its experts believe boosters are not safe for small children because they are less secure and do not guard against side-on collisions.
They want to ensure toddlers continue to use high-backed child seats for as long as possible.
But a study by confused.com found that just 13 per cent of parents understand the rule change – which applies only to new booster seats.
‘ The current regulations are understandably hard to understand and the new changes may make it even trickier for parents to keep their children safe,’ said Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at the comparison site.
‘The fact that car seats bought before the law change will still be acceptable to use sends mixed messages. The Government needs to simplify the messaging around backless car seat use so there is no misunderstanding over what is and is not safe.’
To make matters worse, there is even confusion about when the legislation will be introduced.
The Department of Transport’s website says the laws will come into force by March 1. But sources said the legislation might be implemented tomorrow.
Insiders say the lack of clarity is because the laws stem from the UN yet are being enforced by the European Union.
Retailers, including Halfords, had not been expecting the legislation to be introduced until next month. It is offering parents the chance to trade in any cushion booster bought at one of its shops for a 20 per cent discount on a high-back booster.
Tanya Robinson, child safety centre manager at the Transport Research Laboratory, said: ‘There is a large amount of uncertainty among parents and carers about the latest changes to child restraint regulations.
‘Regardless of the detail of the regulations, it is vital that parents ensure that their child is in the correct type of seat for their height and weight, as this will allow for maximum protection in the event of an accident.’ Booster cushions that are already being manufactured in compliance with current regulations can continue to be sold and used after the new legislation comes into force.
Parents caught with their child in the car in the wrong kind of seat risk a £100 fine. Children must use special seats until they are either 12 years old or 4ft 5in tall (135cm), whichever comes first.