UK drivers could face a heafty fine and penalty points if they ignore child safety rules. It is possible to be taken to court and face civil proceedings if you fail to safely drive with a child.
Under rules 99 to 102 of the Highway Code, children must be sat in a car seat until they are 12 years old or at least 135 centimetres tall. If drivers ignore these rules, they could face a penalty.
The Daily Record reports the penalties are easily avoidable since there are many measures you can take to ensure children remain safe in your car. Experts at CarMats.co.uk have provided guidance for parents and carers, showing common mistakes that should be avoided to properly ensure a young child passenger's safety while driving.
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Common driving mistakes parents may make
Car seat not properly set up
An indicator that your seat isn’t installed correctly is if the seat is considerably loose. If it can be moved with ease, it may mean that your seat hasn’t been installed properly or that the car seat isn’t compatible with the car.
You should also make sure that the child is also properly secured as tight or loose straps could be a potential safety risk if an accident occurs. You should not be able to pinch the straps between your fingers.
It's worth keeping an eye on straps as they should also be adjusted as your child grows. Parents should monitor the harness strap height according to their child’s shoulders.
Child is wearing bulky clothes
That snug puffer jacket might keep your child from getting cold, but it could also be a safety risk. The added layers can add extra slack and reduce the defence of the car seat.
Make sure that you strap the seat in first and then if you want to add warmth add a blanket on top after. This ensures that your child is properly strapped in.
Giving children nonessential toys in the car seat
Keeping a young child entertained is no easy task, but attaching a toy to a child's seat can be a safety risk. Unless a toy or accessory came with your seat, or is recommended by the manufacturer, then it shouldn’t be used.
Toys when detached from the seat can become a risk and cause a distraction while you’re driving.
Changing the seat too soon
Parents may choose to move their babies into a forward-facing seat as soon as they reach the minimum age and weight suitability (9 months or 9kg).
This could be dangerous as young children are still developing, their neck, head and spine are fragile and, if placed in a forward-facing position too soon, these vulnerable areas could be at risk.
Booster seats will come also come with weight and height limits and all vary based on the manufacturer’s instructions, however. There is also a maturity requirement to sit in a booster seat, if your child can't stay in their seat, it would be safer to keep them in a child seat.
