Does Anybody Know ..

[Guest]

.. what the new Seatbelt Legislation is? One of my colleagues mentioned it today, and we wondered how it will impact on our 'trips' out from Pre School. We usually hire a coach (with lap belts) but are we allowed to do this anymore? I know someone out there will have the answer . . .

thanks

[Guest]

i think children under 12 hane to have booster seats or booster cushions and children now have to travel in the backs of cars

[Guest tinkerbell]

It was mentioned in our staff meeting this evening.It will be a height thing ...if children are not of a certain height they will have to sit on a booster seat...not sure when it comes into force.This effects our afterschool sports as parents generously ferry the year5/year6 children to events....we will just have to choose tall children!!!!!!!.

Tinkerbellx

[Guest]

There are free leaftlets that you can get from the road safety website that gives information for parents on the new seatbelt regulations. Sorry, I dont know how to put the web address link in.

 

Jenni x

[Susan]

All children under 145 cms (4ft 5ins) have to be restrained with appropriate car seats.

Not sure of any implications re coach travel or sitting in the back but the latter makes good sense!

[Beau]

You can find out more about it here. The law comes into effect on the 18th Sept.

[Guest]

Thanks Beau, that is a great link

[surfer]

This section refers to coach and bus travel on the site that the link goes to:-

 

32. What are the seat belt wearing rules in mini-buses, buses and coaches?

 

Seat belt wearing is already compulsory in minibuses under 2.54 tonnes unladen weight. If available, an appropriate child seat must be used in these vehicles but operators are not required to provide them.

 

From 18 September, seated passengers aged 14 years and above will have to use seat belts where they are fitted in all buses and coaches. . Regulations requiring children 3 years to 13 years to use seat belts (or child restraints if they are available) will be brought forward as soon as practicable. The regulations will not include any obligation for anyone to to provide child restraints in these vehicles.

 

Vehicle operators must notify passengers of the need to use seat belts. The regulations require notification by any of:

 

(a) an official announcement, or an audio-visual presentation, made when the passenger joins the bus or within a reasonable time of his doing so;

 

( a sign prominently displayed at each passenger seat equipped with a seat belt.

 

An "official announcement" means one by the driver, by a conductor or courier or by a group leader of any passengers on the vehicle.

 

A sign that takes the form of a pictorial symbol must be in the agreed form depicting a white figure on a blue background.

 

DfT's letter of 11 August 2006 to operators explains all this in greater detail. It also contains a copy of the proscribed pictogram. That is available on-line at: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/divisionhomepage/039143.hcsp.

 

There is nothing in law to prevent child restraints being used if they fit in a bus or coach. However, these vehicles may only have lap belts and most child seats need lap and diagonal belts in order to be secured. In addition, the seats in these vehicles may be the wrong proportions for child restraints.

 

32. What are the seat belt wearing rules in mini-buses, buses and coaches?

 

Seat belt wearing is already compulsory in minibuses under 2.54 tonnes unladen weight. If available, an appropriate child seat must be used in these vehicles but operators are not required to provide them.

 

From 18 September, seated passengers aged 14 years and above will have to use seat belts where they are fitted in all buses and coaches. . Regulations requiring children 3 years to 13 years to use seat belts (or child restraints if they are available) will be brought forward as soon as practicable. The regulations will not include any obligation for anyone to to provide child restraints in these vehicles.

 

Vehicle operators must notify passengers of the need to use seat belts. The regulations require notification by any of:

 

(a) an official announcement, or an audio-visual presentation, made when the passenger joins the bus or within a reasonable time of his doing so;

 

( a sign prominently displayed at each passenger seat equipped with a seat belt.

 

An "official announcement" means one by the driver, by a conductor or courier or by a group leader of any passengers on the vehicle.

 

A sign that takes the form of a pictorial symbol must be in the agreed form depicting a white figure on a blue background.

 

DfT's letter of 11 August 2006 to operators explains all this in greater detail. It also contains a copy of the proscribed pictogram. That is available on-line at: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/divisionhomepage/039143.hcsp.

 

There is nothing in law to prevent child restraints being used if they fit in a bus or coach. However, these vehicles may only have lap belts and most child seats need lap and diagonal belts in order to be secured. In addition, the seats in these vehicles may be the wrong proportions for child restraints.

 

Still not sure if this means we are okay on coaches with seat belts fitted or not?

 

Sue

 

 

Whoops! Not sure why the quote is in twice- sorry!