children and seatbelts

[natedog]

asking on behalf of a friend:

kids need to be in suitable child seats, and i've found this page covering the rules for them, but what i don't know and can't find is do they have to be in the back seat, or is it ok for them to travel in the front? i've never had little kids, so don't have first hand experience of it, and when i was a kid, being sat on a cable drum in the back of my old man's beford cf was considered ok

[Deleted]

Take a look at Halfords Baby Car Seat Buyers Guide, seems to prefer fitting them in the rear and not in front if a air bag is present.
I have always opted for the rear option.

[Noberator]

If your child is aged under 12 years they must be using an appropriate child restraint unless they are over 135cm in height. Once a child is taller than 135cm you may move a child out of the booster seat or booster cushion, regardless of their age although they must still legally use the adult belt. It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that every passenger under 14 is restrained within the law.

However, if a child is in a rearward facing child car seat, and the front passenger seat is protected by an active frontal airbag, then it is illegal to carry your child in the front.

Although the law does allow you to carry children in the front (with the one exception above) it is safer for children to travel in the rear.


Children


We have bought a Britax child safety seat Group 1 (9-18kgs) recently for when we carry either of the granddaughters. It's a non ISO fix seat and can be left in or taken out as necessary.

I fit it on the n/side as it's safer for entry and exit providing your parked on the n/side.

[natedog]

Thanks for that guys. I will pass on your wisdom in the morning

[upkeep]

 For baby's always have a rearward facing seat and if the vehicle has ISOfix go that route, the vehicle handbook should be able to advise on the type of seat, but to see the forces involved look at the on-board shots from this video  www.euroncap.com/player_Mediacenter.aspx?nk=ec98461b-32b2-40ef-9118-5b736532fddf

Also 

[upkeep]

www.carsafetyrules.com/swedes-save-more-lives-with-policy-of-keeping-one-year-olds-with-rear-facing-car-seats/0403/

And www.carsafetyrules.com/how-to-buy-the-best-car-seat-for-your-baby/0326/