New child safety regulations

[a8hex]

I understand that come September new safety regulations come into effect governing the carrying of children in cars.

In effect it says that any child between 3 and 12 and under 135cm in height must sit on a booster seat. Where seat belts are fitted.

Whilst this makes sense in car with adult sized seats, it does not in child sized seats.

I own a 1958 XK150, when I bought this I had seat belts fitted, no mean feat. However it might soon be illegal for me to carry the kids in the car... because it has seat belts. No seat belts, no problem as far as the law is concerned.

Now if you have a 2plus2, like my XK150, or I'd guess an E-Type, XJS or XK8 and you have kids then this new law is going to effect you.

In these cars you probably can't fit booster seats, they won't fit. Even if they could be fitted they could well be unsafe, since
a) The seats might not be big enough for the booster to sit on stably.
b) By raising the height the child sits at, you raise there centre of gravity and therefore they get thrown around more in corners and lateral collisions.
c) Where the seatbelt is installed at a height suitable for a child sitting on the seat it self. Raising the child could easily lift there shoulders above the top anchor point the seatbelt. Therefore in a collision the belt will exert a downward force on their spines inflicting injuries.

(more in next post -this one seems to be full)

[a8hex]

I've contacted the DoT and they suggested I contact a specialist installer of car safety systems. Actually the very people who installed the belts into my car. I've spoken to them and they agree that fitting booster seats into the car would not aid safety and would in all likelihood be detrimental to safety. Apparently they are often consulted by the DoT about seat belts when regulations change, but were not in this case. Where it seems clear that these regulations haven't been thought through carefully.

Has anyone else come across this issue yet?

Any ideas on ways to approach this issue?

It appears the government have just outlawed carrying kids in sports cars.


Cheers

Ken

[mozza9]

It is the nanny state at its worst I'm afraid. Instead of teaching people responsibility they put in place blanket legislation that includes all and sundry no matter what. People who did not care before will not care afterwards. Those who care will fall foul and pay the price.

[a8hex]

mozza9 said:

It is the nanny state at its worst I'm afraid. Instead of teaching people responsibility they put in place blanket legislation that includes all and sundry no matter what. People who did not care before will not care afterwards. Those who care will fall foul and pay the price.

It's a bloody cheek coming from a PM who last choose a vehical (to buy with his own dosh, rather than ours) that according to TopGear has such a poor safety standard it's a wonder his kids didn't end up on the "At Risk" register.