Seat belts and where children should sit.

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Knottyroo
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Seat belts and where children should sit.

Post by Knottyroo »

Hi. I have a 67 morris with belts in the front so for the moment my daughter has been in in the front with a car seat (only a couple of trips). My question is if I fit belts in the back would it be better for her to sit in the back in terms of safety and in terms of the law?

I've read if no belts then they should be in the back if ages over 3 but nothing about if there are belts in the front, or if there are any rules if belts are fitted to all seats.

It has been nice to have her sitting next to me on the couple of short trips.

Thanks for any help / advice on where to look for information. Roo
philthehill
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Re: Seat belts and where children should sit.

Post by philthehill »

https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law

https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/if-yo ... seat-belts

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules.

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the- ... a-car-seat

My understanding is that young children (see links above for description of young child) should not be in the front seat even with a booster seat and seat belt.

In my opinion it is better and safer for a young child to travel on the back seat with/on an approved booster seat and restrained by a seat belt or ISOFIX fixing.

Are your front seat belts factory fitted items or after market items?

Knottyroo
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Re: Seat belts and where children should sit.

Post by Knottyroo »

No front belts are not factory fitted but I presume its safer for her to be in the front, belted up in a car seat than in the back with no belts. Currently fitting belts in the back but wanted to see if anyone knew the laws of where kids have to sit (if car was not originally fitted with belts). Obviously safest place is best.

I'll have a read of the links posted.

Thanks.
philthehill
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Re: Seat belts and where children should sit.

Post by philthehill »

My understanding of the links above is that no child under 12 years of age should be in the front whether seat belts fitted or not.
In the links above there is reference to the use of factory fitted seat belts with factory fitted mountings. Also reference to children under 12 riding in a vehicle without seat belts fitted.
Personally I would not allow a child under 12 years of age to ride in any vehicle not fitted with seat belts to either the front or rear seats. See the exceptions in the links above. They are HMG exceptions not mine.

Knottyroo
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Re: Seat belts and where children should sit.

Post by Knottyroo »

Yeah ive seen the posts before. It's just really says about vehicles with full factory fitted belts and cars with no belts at all.

I'm sure if I have been pulled over with her in the front belted up and in seat then that would be better than in the back with none.

Once the rear belts are in I'll move her into the back. Was just interested to see if anyone knew the rules. For this situation. Thanks
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