Transporting of Persons and Seat Belt Wearing
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The Law requires everyone to wear a seat belt if one is available. Wearing seatbelts saves lives and reduces the risk of serious injury in a collision.
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Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal airbag unless the airbag has been deactivated.
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Children under 3 years must use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in all cars, vans and other goods vehicles, with the single exception for the rear of taxis. They cannot travel otherwise. This means for example that they may not travel in cars, vans or goods vehicles which do not have seat belts installed.
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Children must use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.
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Advice on the use of child seats and the correct fitting of them can also be sought from Good Egg Safety and/or Children's Car Seats & Safety Advice in the UK & Ireland - ICSC (incarsafetycentre.co.uk)
14.1 Buses and Coaches (including minibuses)
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Passengers over the age of 14 years must wear a seat belt in coaches. They must be notified of the requirement to wear a seat belt (this is usually by a notice on the vehicle, an announcement or a film). Each passenger is legally responsible for wearing their seat belt. The law does not yet require passengers under 14 years old to wear a seat belt.
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The Law provides for the medical exemption of wearing of seatbelts. Certificates are only issued by GP’s and should be shown to line managers for recording the details on the Drivers Assessment Form.
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If you drive passengers under 14 years old, you as the driver, are responsible for ensuring that they are correctly restrained within the vehicle. Failure to do so could result in legal action against you.
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At the age of 14 young people become responsible for wearing their seat belts and can be fined by the police for non-compliance with the law.
Child seats must be checked for suitability with the vehicle as well as for the age and size of the child and comply with current legislation. Seat Belts and Child Restraints (think.gov.uk)
- Child seats should not be used on front passenger seats where an active airbag is fitted.
Advice on the use of child seats and the correct fitting of them can also be sought from Good Egg Safety and/or Children's Car Seats & Safety Advice in the UK & Ireland - ICSC (incarsafetycentre.co.uk)