THE DESIGN OF CHILD RESTRAINTS

1
THE DESIGN OF CHILD RESTRAINTS

• Child restraints are what they are because of
• the design of children
• the design of cars
• the nature of car crashes
• These issues lead to the content of the
  regulations with which child restraints have to
  conform (UN ECE Regulation 44).
• There are no British Standards for child
  restraints.

2
THE DESIGN OF CHILDREN
CHILDREN ARE NOT SCALED DOWN ADULTS!

• Height and weight change rapidly
• Centre of gravity moves downwards
• Body proportions change
• Head and neck (mass, skull structure and neck
  weakness) need to be considered
• Chest strength has to be used
• Abdomen must be protected from forces
• Pelvic structure immature no iliac crests

3
THE NEW CHILD RESTRAINT LAWThe simple version

• Children aged under 12 years who are less than
  135 cm (about 4 5) tall must use a child
  restraint.
• There are very few exceptions.
• The law now reflects best practice.
• It acknowledges that adult seat belts are for
  adults, not for children.
• It requires everyone who carries a child to have
  the correct child restraint.

4
THE NEW CHILD RESTRAINT LAW

• The law applies to ALL vehicles fitted with seat
  belts, except minibuses, buses and coaches.
• The law comes into effect on 18 September 2006.
• Children with medical exemptions are not required
  to be restrained.

5
MINIBUSES, COACHES AND BUSES

• Minibuses under 2.54 tonnes
• Seat belt wearing is already compulsory.
• An appropriate child restraint must be used if
  available.
• Operators are not required to provide child
  restraints.
• Buses and coaches
• Seated passengers aged 14 and over will have to
  use seat belts were fitted.
• Regulations requiring 3-13 year olds to use seat
  belts (or child restraints if available) will be
  brought forward.
• Operators are not required to provide child
  restraints.

6
CHILD RESTRAINT USE BY CHILDREN BEFORE THEIR
THIRD BIRTHDAY

• ALL children under 3 years must use the correct
  child restraint.
• If there are no seat belts in the vehicle, the
  child cannot travel in it.
• If there are more children than there are child
  restraints, the excess children cannot travel.

7
CHILD RESTRAINT USE BY CHILDREN BEFORE THEIR
THIRD BIRTHDAY

• One exception in a taxi when no child restraint
  is available.
• The child may travel unrestrained but only in the
  rear seat.
• Babies in rear-facing baby seats must not travel
  in the front seat when there is an active
  airbag.

8
CHILD RESTRAINT AND SEAT BELT USE BY CHILDREN
AFTER THEIR THIRD BIRTHDAY
Child must use adult seat belt
Is the child less than 12 years old?
No
Yes
Is the child less than 135 cm tall?
Child must use adult seat belt
No
Yes
Child must use the correct child restraint
9
CHILD RESTRAINT USE BY CHILDREN AFTER THEIR THIRD
BIRTHDAY AND LESS THAN 135 CM

• Three exemptions
• in a taxi when the correct child restraint is not
  available
• for reasons of unexpected necessity over a
  short distance when the correct child restraint
  is not available
• when two occupied child restraints prevent the
  fitting of a third restraint

In all these situations, the adult seat belt must
be used in the rear seat.
10
CHILD RESTRAINT USE BY CHILDREN AFTER THEIR THIRD
BIRTHDAY AND LESS THAN 135 CM

• The law allows these children to travel in the
  front seat, but they must use a correct child
  restraint.
• Follow the advice of the vehicle manufacturer
  regarding airbags and children.

11
CHILD RESTRAINT USESome general issues

• Children cannot be carried on an adults lap.
• Children cannot travel in the luggage space
  behind the rear seat.
• Only one child or adult can travel in an adult
  seat belt.
• It is the drivers responsibility to comply with
  the law.