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Forces shun child car seat fines | Forces shun child car seat fines |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Three police forces in England are choosing not to issue fines to drivers who break new laws on child car seats. | Three police forces in England are choosing not to issue fines to drivers who break new laws on child car seats. |
The rules, which came in last September, state children aged under 13 and less than 4ft 5in (1.35m) tall must use booster seats. | |
But forces in North and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester said they would not be fining offenders. | But forces in North and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester said they would not be fining offenders. |
Safety campaigners said it was "a matter of life and death" and police must use their powers of enforcement. | Safety campaigners said it was "a matter of life and death" and police must use their powers of enforcement. |
We want people to concentrate on the more weighty things South Yorkshire Police | We want people to concentrate on the more weighty things South Yorkshire Police |
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said no fixed penalty tickets had been issued since the legislation's introduction, partly because it was impractical to gauge youngsters' height at the roadside. | A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said no fixed penalty tickets had been issued since the legislation's introduction, partly because it was impractical to gauge youngsters' height at the roadside. |
He said: "We don't have the powers to measure children and request dates of birth. It was particularly aimed at minors, and that was the sticking point." | He said: "We don't have the powers to measure children and request dates of birth. It was particularly aimed at minors, and that was the sticking point." |
Their reluctance is shared by colleagues in South Yorkshire, who have also not issued any penalties relating to the offence. | Their reluctance is shared by colleagues in South Yorkshire, who have also not issued any penalties relating to the offence. |
A spokesman said: "Operation staff have taken a conscious decision to avoid fining the public for what is considered a minor infringement. | A spokesman said: "Operation staff have taken a conscious decision to avoid fining the public for what is considered a minor infringement. |
"We want people to concentrate on the more weighty things. It is about dangerous people, drink-drivers and drug-drivers. In general, patrol people have just been giving advice and it has been pretty well received." | "We want people to concentrate on the more weighty things. It is about dangerous people, drink-drivers and drug-drivers. In general, patrol people have just been giving advice and it has been pretty well received." |
'Less pressing concern' | 'Less pressing concern' |
In Greater Manchester, officers have not prosecuted anybody for failing to comply with the child seat rules - but rejected suggestions they were ignoring the law. | In Greater Manchester, officers have not prosecuted anybody for failing to comply with the child seat rules - but rejected suggestions they were ignoring the law. |
Supt Alan Greene, of the force's road policing unit, said: "The law is extremely difficult to enforce. | Supt Alan Greene, of the force's road policing unit, said: "The law is extremely difficult to enforce. |
"Where a parent has made a genuine attempt to restrain their child but there is no booster seat then we would advise the driver that this is what is needed. | "Where a parent has made a genuine attempt to restrain their child but there is no booster seat then we would advise the driver that this is what is needed. |
"Our main concern is that people in cars wear seat belts - and if they don't they will be prosecuted. This is a less pressing concern that we offer advice to motorists on." | "Our main concern is that people in cars wear seat belts - and if they don't they will be prosecuted. This is a less pressing concern that we offer advice to motorists on." |
Tough line | Tough line |
However, most forces said they would issue fines to drivers caught ignoring the law. | However, most forces said they would issue fines to drivers caught ignoring the law. |
Among those taking a tough line is Cleveland, which has already issued 49 penalties relating to the offence. | Among those taking a tough line is Cleveland, which has already issued 49 penalties relating to the offence. |
A statement from the force said: "Cleveland focuses its activity on children who are unrestrained in vehicles and on the driver who is transporting them. | A statement from the force said: "Cleveland focuses its activity on children who are unrestrained in vehicles and on the driver who is transporting them. |
"We also concentrate on those motorists who persist in allowing children to travel on another passenger's knee." | "We also concentrate on those motorists who persist in allowing children to travel on another passenger's knee." |
'Not minor' | 'Not minor' |
In Kent, officers have issued 28 penalties relating to the offence. | In Kent, officers have issued 28 penalties relating to the offence. |
Derbyshire has given out 17 tickets to drivers without booster seats and penalties have also been issued in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. | Derbyshire has given out 17 tickets to drivers without booster seats and penalties have also been issued in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. |
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said that a period of grace was given to motorists which ran out in January and now tickets would be issued. | A spokesman for West Mercia Police said that a period of grace was given to motorists which ran out in January and now tickets would be issued. |
A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "Education is an important part of enforcement but ultimately the police need to take action and use their enforcement powers. | A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "Education is an important part of enforcement but ultimately the police need to take action and use their enforcement powers. |
"This is not a minor infringement - it can be a matter of life and death." | "This is not a minor infringement - it can be a matter of life and death." |
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