Enforce seat laws - LARSOA

LARSOA is calling on all UK police forces to enforce the new child car seat laws - after three forces have chosen to opt out of fining drivers who break them.

The new rules, which came in last September, say children aged under 12 and less than 135cms (about 4ft 5in) must use the correct car seat for their weight.

But forces in North and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester have said they won't fine offenders.

Simon Ettinghausen, chair of LARSOA, says: "Drivers who choose not to restrain child passengers properly are putting young lives at risk. They could even be said to be neglecting or abusing these children.

"We urge the police to enforce these regulations. Making sure children are correctly restrained can make the difference between life and death. It is estimated the new regulations could prevent over 2,000 child deaths or injuries nationally each year."

LARSOA has praised forces that have combined education with enforcement to ensure drivers get the message. Cleveland has already issued 49 penalties relating to the offence, and Kent and Derbyshire 28 and 17 respectively.

Click here to read the full LARSOA press release.

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