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| Drivers need to heed car seat law | Drivers need to heed car seat law |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scottish police have warned they will take immediate action against anyone blatantly ignoring new car seat laws. | Scottish police have warned they will take immediate action against anyone blatantly ignoring new car seat laws. |
| Drivers must now make sure all children aged under 12 and up to 135cm (4ft 5in) tall are using the correct child car seat or booster seat. | Drivers must now make sure all children aged under 12 and up to 135cm (4ft 5in) tall are using the correct child car seat or booster seat. |
| Fines for the offence range from £30 on-the-spot up to £500 in court. | Fines for the offence range from £30 on-the-spot up to £500 in court. |
| The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said enforcement would be governed by "common sense" but urged drivers to be aware of the law. | The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said enforcement would be governed by "common sense" but urged drivers to be aware of the law. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Ian Learmonth, secretary of road policing for Acpos, said: "The most important and precious thing you can carry in your vehicle is a child. | Assistant Chief Constable Ian Learmonth, secretary of road policing for Acpos, said: "The most important and precious thing you can carry in your vehicle is a child. |
| CHILD SEAT REGULATIONS Child seats compulsory until children reach 4ft 5in (135 cm) or the age of 12Children up to age of three must be carried in appropriate seatExemption for over-threes in "unexpected necessity"Exemption if there are three children but only room for two car seatsFine could rise to £500 Confusion over new seat laws Q&A: New child car seat law | CHILD SEAT REGULATIONS Child seats compulsory until children reach 4ft 5in (135 cm) or the age of 12Children up to age of three must be carried in appropriate seatExemption for over-threes in "unexpected necessity"Exemption if there are three children but only room for two car seatsFine could rise to £500 Confusion over new seat laws Q&A: New child car seat law |
| "It is vital that children are carried safely and in appropriate safety seats that have been specifically designed for their smaller size and weight." | "It is vital that children are carried safely and in appropriate safety seats that have been specifically designed for their smaller size and weight." |
| ACC Learmonth said the approach of the police service in Scotland would be one of common sense. | ACC Learmonth said the approach of the police service in Scotland would be one of common sense. |
| Acpos said officers appreciated that parents, grandparents and people who regularly carry children in their cars may need time to make themselves fully aware of the changes. | Acpos said officers appreciated that parents, grandparents and people who regularly carry children in their cars may need time to make themselves fully aware of the changes. |
| Detailed information on the changes can be obtained from the Department for Transport. | Detailed information on the changes can be obtained from the Department for Transport. |
| ACC Learmonth added: "We don't plan to sit outside school gates with measuring tapes and scales. | ACC Learmonth added: "We don't plan to sit outside school gates with measuring tapes and scales. |
| "However, we will take immediate action when we spot a blatant disregard for a child's safety." | "However, we will take immediate action when we spot a blatant disregard for a child's safety." |
| CORRECT SEATS Birth to 9-12 months: Rear-facing baby seat, up to 10- 13kgs. Group 09 months to 4 years: Forward-facing baby seat: 9-18kgs. Group 14 years to 6 years: Booster seat, 15kgs up to 36kgs. Group 26 years to 12 years: Booster seat or cushion, 22-36kgs. Group 3 Test your car seat knowledge Send us your comments | |
| Safety groups have welcomed the move, which the government says will prevent 2,000 child injuries every year. | |
| The changes were also welcomed by Aileen Brady from Kelso who runs the website safefamilydriving.com. | |
| She said: "The advantage for all children is that they are better protected in the car - particularly from side impact because their bodies are obviously at different stages of development. | |
| "For the older age group an adult seat belt doesn't operate properly until, in fact, somebody is five feet tall." | |
| However, councillors in the Highlands have raised concern over the cost impact for school transport. | |
| They believe it could prevent rural schools from participating in major sport and recreational events. | |
| Parents often use their own cars to help with school transport and this could halt the service, with Highland Council having to provide minibuses. | |
| Councillor Ella MacRae said: "Are they required in taxis? Are they required in minibuses or just in private cars to help schools out? | |
| "There should be some funding for the schools that require this." |