By Graham Huband

CHILDREN OLD enough to go to secondary school will be forced to use booster cushions in cars from next month, Tayside Police warned yesterday.

Road safety co-ordinator Marian Scott said it was important parents were aware of changes in the law from September 18 that require children up to the age of 12—or 135cms in height—to be correctly restrained while travelling in a vehicle.

Under the new rules, children who fall below the age and height restrictions will have to be seated in a child car seat or be placed on a booster cushion that ensures the seatbelt rests at an appropriate height across the torso.

Ms Scott said the legislation was about promoting the safety of all passengers. She said, “Government estimates show that some 28,000 lives have been saved in the UK since seatbelt wearing became compulsory.

“Seatbelts and child restraints are designed to prevent people from being thrown forward and injured by hitting part of the vehicle or another occupant or ejected from the vehicle.

The law concerning carrying children in vehicles will change on September 18.

“The driver of a vehicle remains responsible for all passengers under the age of 14 to be correctly restrained. The law applies to all vehicles, cars, vans and goods vehicles.

“From September 18, any child up to the age of 12—or 135cms in height—will be required to travel using the correct child restraint.

“It is important to be ready for the changes.

“If you are unsure what you require, now is an ideal time to investigate your needs and ensure you will be complying with the law.”

In general terms, babies up to a year old must be placed within a rearward facing car seat with internal harness, although such a restraint cannot be placed in front of an active airbag.

Children from 9kgs to 18kgs—approximately nine months to four years—must be restrained within a forward-facing car seat with internal harness.

When a child reaches 15kgs and over they can use a booster seat that allows the adult seatbelt to be worn in the correct position for a child.

For children from 22kgs and under 135cms in height or 12 years of age, a booster cushion—which gives protection to the neck, back and abdomen—is required.

Ms Scott continued, “Should your child be unlucky enough to be involved in even a low speed crash, considerable damage can occur to the body through whiplash or submarining—slipping under the lap part of the belt and damaging internal organs.

“Therefore, always ensure the booster cushion is being used correctly.

“Using a booster cushion for your child may also help alleviate travel sickness.

Marian continued, “Put simply, you cannot carry children in an adult seat belt until they reach 135cms in height or 12 years of age whichever comes first.

“Adult seat belts are designed for people with adult bone structure and until your child reaches approximately 12 years of age their bone structure has not fully developed.”

“In a crash at 30mph, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their own body weight.

“They would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and quite possibly seriously injuring or even killing other people inside the vehicle.

“They are also likely to be ejected from the car through one of the windows.

“Never carry a baby or child on your lap and do not allow any passengers to do so.

“If the vehicle stops suddenly or is in a crash you may well crush the child as you are thrown forward.

“You are not allowed to carry more passengers than you have seat belts for.

“One seat belt equals one person.”