Parents across the country face the difficult task of coaxing children as old as 12 back into child booster seats with the new child car seat regulations coming into force this month (18 September).
Parents across the country face the difficult task of coaxing children as old as 12 back into child booster seats with the new child car seat regulations coming into force this month (18 September).
In support of the new laws, Norwich Union has teamed up with Claire Halsey, clinical psychologist and expert on ITV1’s Driving Mum and Dad Mad, to develop a series of fun, easy tips to help parents get older kids back into booster seats and make for an altogether safer car journey.
Claire says: “If your child has been used to using an adult seat belt but as a result of the new regulations needs to go back to a child seat the challenge to a parent will be in finding ways to encourage this without tantrums or tears!”
- Work it out together - Encourage your child to research whether they need a booster seat. Finding out the facts together will help prevent them from feeling they are being treated like "babies"*.
- Keep them busy! - Have a selection of books, magnetic or computer games to play with in the car which will keep them entertained and will distract them from the fact they are in a car or booster seat.
- Personalise the seat - Let your child choose their booster seat from a selection that meet the new guidelines. By choosing the colour and style and allowing them to decorate it with stickers this will encourage them to feel happy to use their seat and they can enjoy showing it off to friends and family.
- Explain safety to children - Keep it simple and say: “We all put our seat belts on in the car to keep us safe.” And remind them that being safe in the car is a lot like wearing a cycle helmet when they are out on their bikes!
- Make it a responsibility - When there is more than one child in the car, encourage the older ones to teach younger ones by example. This differentiates them from younger siblings and will make them feel more adult and responsible.
- Pull over if children unbuckle - Park and wait until all seat belts are safely fastened again. Keep on stopping every time they unbuckle, until children get the idea that belts off means a very slow trip!
Brian Bridges, motor underwriter at Norwich Union, comments: “As a leading provider of motor insurance, Norwich Union is aware that too many children are killed or injured during accidents on the road when the appropriate child restraint isn’t used.
"Our research shows that children as young as six may have moved to using an adult seat belt and this simply isn’t giving them the protection they need. The new regulations are a welcome revision and Norwich Union gives full support to the Government for taking the issue of child car safety seriously.
"We advise parents to familiarise themselves with the new changes due from 18 September and take onboard our recommendations to ensure their children are as safe as possible.”
Current regulations are significantly outdated and insufficient, only advising people to use child seats or boosters if they are available. The new regulations are estimated to save up to 2,000 child deaths or injuries each year and include:
| Who | Front seat | Rear seat |
| Child up to three years˛ | Correct child restraint must be used | Correct child restraint mush be used |
| Child from third birthday up to 135cms in height OR up to 12th birthday, whichever is reached first | Correct child restraint must be used | Where seat belts are fitted, correct child restraint must be used. Adult belts must be used if correct child restraint is not available |
| Child over 135cms or 12 years + | Adult seat belt must be worn if available | Adult seat below must be worn if available |
| Adult passengers (14 years and over) | Adult seat belt must be worn if available | Adult seat belt must be worn if available |
The appropriate child restraint is determined by the height and weight of the child so it can provide protection during different stages of a child’s development.
* More information about the change in regulations is available at www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk.
Children under three years must use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in all cars, vans and other goods vehicles, with the only exception of the rear of taxis. Children must not travel otherwise.
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Press office contacts:
Joanna Pritchard, Lexis PR, on 020 7908 6440 / 07712528558 or jpritchard@lexispr.com
Sally Leeman, Norwich Union Press Office, on 01603 684 225 / 07800 699 670
Notes to editors:
Norwich Union is the UK’s largest general insurer with a market share of around 14%, with a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses.
It is a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest financial adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company's long-term savings business in the UK.
Norwich Union’s news releases and a selection of images are available from Aviva's internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media.