Guest Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Please can anyone tell me what the law is with regard to taking families, so 0-5 on coaches. Do all children have to be strapped into a car seat? Can children be sat on mums lap with a seat belt over them both- babies included!- can families go on trips without any seat belts providing they don't go on the motorway? I am getting so much conflicting advice I almost feel that not going anywhere! Grafetul for replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upsy Daisy Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I don't know what the law says but I do know that, if you put an child on an adult's lap with the belt round them both, the child will sustain horrific injuries in any accident. The weight of the adult becomes enormous with the force of the impact and would crush the child against the belt and probably kill them. Whatever you do please don't ever let anyone do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gezabel Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Rear Seats in Coaches Passengers over the age of 14 MUST wear seat belts in the rear coaches. However, all passengers are strongly advised to wear seat belts or the correct child seat on all journeys THat's all I could find but there is lots of information here: http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htm#otherrear I wouldn't let a child of mine travel in any vehicle without the relevant safety seats/belts. I haven't been on a coach for ages, do they have seat belts? If so can you use baby seat/booster seat or whatever you would normally use in a car? Sorry probably not much help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 No too sure what the law is but we always use a coach that has seat belts fitted. We would never allow a child to sit on an adult's knee-the seatbelt would not function properly and so would be just as bad as not wearing one. We don't use booster seats etc but we do insist on the seat belts. Most coach firms have belts fitted now. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I've been on a trip in the past where the coach compay were reluctant to let us use booster seats, I can't remember why, so I'm not being very helpful, but another thing to check! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) Hi, We had our trip to the farm last week and asked the children to bring their car seats with them. We have done this for the past few years and its not a problem. But the driver of the minibus said by law they do not need to wear them as it is classed as a bus and they can ride the normal bus without car seats but they do HAVE to wear the seat belts if they are fitted, this is by law and the driver will be responsible for any under 14 not wearing a belt. Despite this i still prefered to have the children in either full car seats or boosters as they are in my care and want them as safe and comfortableas they can be. But i agree with Alison please please do not let them ride behind the seat belt while sat on a parents lap it is seriously the most dangerous thing to do as even a short burst of brake to make the seat belt jolt can cause significant harm to a young child behind the weight of the adult. Niki x Edited May 23, 2009 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 When our children's centre organise trips, they always use coaches with seatbelts and all children have to bring a booster seat. Like others I dont know what the law is but that is our policy. We would not allow a child to sit on an adults lap even with a seat belt around them both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Hi were all off on our anual pre school trip with the parent s and i am in need of a coach travel risk assessment. Has any on got one they wish to share with me? Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) we have been on arranged trips to the forest school and after talking it over with powers that be we dont need booster seats as the children wear lap belts our age is from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 years Edited May 26, 2009 by Suer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Our coach company said we should NOT use booster seats as the coach just has lap belts. These would not hold a booster seat in position in the event of an accident and so would be highly dangerous. Gruffalo2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 We usually have a coach with lap belts for our children aged 2+ and a mini bus with proper seat belts for the under 2's so that their own car seats can be fitted. Not sure if there is a law to be honest but that's what we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynned55 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I have always been told by coach companies that the lap belts are not suitable for restraining car seats and as Gruffalo2 says, in the event of an accident would not restrain it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upsy Daisy Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I have had a car seat wich was designed for use with either a full seatbelt or a lap belt. You would nee to check the fitting instructions to know which was safe to use. Not always realistic when you are doing a trip for families. Have you tried contacting ROSPA for advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 hi ya We recently went on trip to dudley zoo with parents and pre-school children to take part in barnados toddle, the coach company we booked had 3 point seat belts which is same as in cars and can accomodate car seats as didnt think booster seats could be used until they were 4 years old, correct me if i got this wrong. Some parents just used seat belts and put shoulder strap behind the child and used it as lap belt but could be used for car seats.hope this helps, but certainly not sure if any law, asked development worker and headteacher of school but they both unsure. Interesting topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyfs1966 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Hi, We had our trip to the farm last week and asked the children to bring their car seats with them. We have done this for the past few years and its not a problem. But the driver of the minibus said by law they do not need to wear them as it is classed as a bus and they can ride the normal bus without car seats but they do HAVE to wear the seat belts if they are fitted, this is by law and the driver will be responsible for any under 14 not wearing a belt. Despite this i still prefered to have the children in either full car seats or boosters as they are in my care and want them as safe and comfortableas they can be. But i agree with Alison please please do not let them ride behind the seat belt while sat on a parents lap it is seriously the most dangerous thing to do as even a short burst of brake to make the seat belt jolt can cause significant harm to a young child behind the weight of the adult. Niki x Our coach company said same as yours, so we asked children to come with own boosters/car seats, which staff installed for them. However, the time this took was incredible....as a result, i am now not hapy using coaches and would rather undertake local trips only. I reallly believe it is about time that someone (DCSF, HSE, ROSPA) gave some firm advice for preschools/nurseries/schools on this issue as it seems daft that we can all take such differing views...typical of early years.....we all struggle to make the "right decision" and face criticism should things not go well, and yet have so little firm guidance to follow!!! Edited July 13, 2009 by eyfs1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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