Seat Belts / Child Restraint Wearing in Cars and Goods Vehicle

This policy relates to the second part of the Directive 2003/20/EU.

This policy relates to the EU Directive 2003/20/EU, which requires the extension of compulsory seat belt/child restraint wearing in cars and goods vehicles. This part of the Directive contains a number of elements as summarised below;

All children under 3 must use an appropriate child restraint. (Effective from 09/05/2006)
Children aged 3 or more and up to 150 cms. in height must use a child restraint appropriate to their size. (Effective from 09/05/2006)
Rear facing baby seats must not be used in a seat protected by an active frontal air bag. (Effective from 09/05/2006)
All child restraints in use must conform to UN-ECE Regulation 44/03 or Directive 77/541/EEC requirements. (Effective from 09/05/2008)
Where seat belts are provided, the number of passengers carried may not exceed the number of seats available fitted with seat belts or child restraints.

TO BE NOTED:The requirement in paragraph 5 is already covered in existing UK Traffic Law, neither GB nor Northern Ireland considered that there was a need for further regulation to enact such a prohibition.

CONSULTATION DETAILS:

ISSUED: 31/10/05
CLOSING DATE: 6/2/06

CONTACT DETAILS;

Road Safety and Vehicle Regulation Division
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8GB

TEL NO: 028 90 540822