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Seatbelts

Legal requirements for seatbelts
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all children under the age of 14 are properly strapped into the car. Children under three years of age travelling in the front seat must be carried in an appropriate child restraint.

It is illegal to carry an unrestrained child in the front seat of any vehicle. It is also illegal to carry any child unrestrained in the back seat of a vehicle if seatbelts are fitted. If a child restraint is available in the car it must be used.

Front Seat
Rear Seat
Who Is Responsible
Driver seatbelt must be worn if fitted Driver
Child under three years of age appropriate child restraint must be used appropriate child
restraint must be used (if available)		 Driver
Child aged three to 11 and under 1.5m (approx 5ft) in height appropriate child restraint must be worn if available. If not, an adult seatbelt must be worn. appropriate child
restraint must be worn if available. If not, an adult seatbelt must be worn.		 Driver
Child aged 12 or 13 or younger children
over 1.5m
(approx 5ft)
or more in height		 adult seatbelt must be worn if available adult seatbelt must
be worn if available		 Driver
Adult passenger or child aged 14
and over		 seatbelt must be worn if available seatbelt must be worn if available Passenger

Babies up to nine months or 10kg (22lbs) should never be carried in a rear facing baby carrier or child seat in a car that has a front passenger air-bag fitted. Never carry a child in your arms in the front or back seat - in a crash the baby will be thrown out of your arms.

Pregnant Women
Seatbelts must be worn, unless exempt on medical grounds. Place the shoulder strap between the breasts. Ensure the lap strap of the belt is positioned under the baby, across the thighs.

If travelling as a passenger in the front of a car fitted with air bags, push your seat as far back as practical. Ideally you should sit in the back seat if it has been fitted with diagonal seat belts.

NEVER use a rearward facing carrier or rearward facing child seat on the front seat in a car with a passenger air bag.