New rules, which will be introduced later this year, will see backless car booster seats banned for younger chidden.
This means that they will only be approved for use for children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT RULES ABOUT BACKLESS BOOSTER SEATS?
At the moment, children weighing as little as 15kg can travel in backless booster seats.
This means that, currently, children as young as 3 years-old can travel in the seats.
WHY HAVE THEY BEEN BANNED FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN?
Car experts have agreed that the seats are unsafe for smaller children, for a number of reasons.
These include:
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Small children aren’t held securely in backless car booster seats
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Backless car booster seats require the use of an adult seat belt - which canot be used efficiently to protect a small child.
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Backless car booster seats offer no protection for a child if your car is involved in a side-impact crash
WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?
Kat Furlong, Good Egg safety manager and training expert, explained: “A high-back booster is far more preferable to a booster cushion, to provide children with adequate head, neck and torso protection from side impacts, which booster cushions do not offer.
"We implore parents to buy these instead and ensure they are the right seat for their child and car."
Honor Byford, chair of Road Safety GB, the charity that supports road safety professionals, added: “We know that every parent’s strongest instinct is to protect their children. The legislation on booster seats changed to ensure that booster seats provide the level of protection that children’s smaller bodies need in the event of a crash.
"This keeps them on a booster seat for longer than used to be the case. We urge parents to check out the legal requirements and keep their children on the right booster seat for as long as their child needs that extra protection – which is until they are tall enough for an adult seatbelt to fit their body."
WHEN WILL THE NEW LAWS COME INTO EFFECT?
The new additions to car seat regulations will come into effect in December 2016.
DO I NEED TO BUY A NEW SEAT?
The rules will only apply to new products appearing on the market, so parents using a booster seat now will still be able to do so without brewing any rules.
However parents are advised to pick the safest option for their child.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR IGNORING THE LAW ON USING CAR SEATS?
Police are able to administer an on-the-spot fine of £30, or £500 if the case is referred to court.
HOW LONG DOES MY CHILD NEED TO USE A CAR SEAT FOR?
UK law states that children must use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135cm/4ft 5in tall, whichever comes first.
Find out more over at www.gov.uk now.
You may also wish to read…
Increase your child’s safety: Everything you need to know about car seats