Jersey's seat belt laws are due to change early in 2009. It will become madatory for all those travelling in the back of a car to wear a seat belt. New regulations concerning children being carried in cars is being ammended to bring Jersey into line with European legislation and what is now considered best practise.
Below is a table outlining who must wear a seat belt by law and who's responsibility it is to ensure the law is complied with at the present time. This will be updated as soon as all changes have been confirmed to us.
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Front seat
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Rear seat
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Whose responsibility
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Children under 3 years of age
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Appropriate child restraint must be used
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Appropriate child restraint must be used if available
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Driver
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Children aged 3 to 11 years and under 1.5m (4ft 11ins approx) in height
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Appropriate child restraint must be worn if available.If not, an adult seat belt must be worn
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Appropriate child restraint must be worn if available.If not, an adult seat belt must be worn if available
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Driver
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Child aged 12 or 13 or younger child 1.5 metres (4ft 11ins approx) or more in height
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Adult seat belt must be worn if available
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Adult seat belt must be worn if available
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Driver
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IMPORTANT NOTE
Should parents decide to place children in an adult seat belt, please note the following below. If any parent requires clarification on any point below, they may contact me on 612222.
Anyone intending to visit the UK or Europe and driving whilst there with children, is strongly advised to check the local situation on seat belt wearing as it is different to Jersey.
Dangers in allowing children to use adult seat belts.
Adult seat belts are designed for people who are more than 1.5m in height. Anyone less than this height tends to find the seat belt rubbing against the side of their neck and the lap part of the belt tends to lie across the stomach instead of the hips and pelvic area. The ‘Think campaign’ and RoSPA both now advise parents to ensure their children use a booster cushion for older children up to the age of 10 or 11 depending on their height. (This is now Law in the United Kingdom and the EU)
Because of the belt rubbing against the neck, children tend to place the diagonal part of the seat belt either behind their back or under the arm that would normally be under the belt, this has the effect on the diagonal part of the belt now being positioned over the stomach and rib area of the body. Occasionally the diagonal is left rubbing against the neck.
In a collision at 30mph it is estimated that an unrestrained occupant is thrown forward with a force equal to 30 to 60 times its own body weight. The ‘Think campaign’ estimates the average body weight to be in the region of 3.5 tonnes. (Source Department of Transport dft)
Should a car occupant place the diagonal part of the seat belt around their back to improve comfort, then all the above forces in a crash will be placed around the stomach area, rather than hip and pelvic area (particularly in the case of undersized children) with the possibility of incurring serious internal injuries. If the diagonal part of the belt is placed under the arm then the above forces will be focused against the ribs and stomach, again with the possibility of causing serious injuries. When left rubbing against the neck, throat and neck injuries may than occur.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In many European Countries it is now illegal for children under 12 years to sit in the front of a car.
Types of child restraint available.
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Child restraint type
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Weight range
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Age range (approximate)
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Baby seat
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Up to 13kgs
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Birth to 9 -12 months
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Child seat
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9kgs – 18kgs
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9 months - 4 years
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Booster seat
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15kgs – 25kgs
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4 years – 6 years
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Booster cushion
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22kgs – 36kgs
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6 years – 11 years
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When choosing a restraint ensure it is compatible for your car and the shop shows you how to fit it. Keep the manual in your car. Never be tempted to buy a second hand car seat.
Infant carriers – Air bags
Air bag car technology has improved the safety for car occupants. However it is now known that a rear facing infant carrier placed in the front of a car with an active airbag is extremely dangerous and can lead to the death of the infant. It is now illegal in the United Kingdom to fit a rear facing infant carrier in the front of a car with an active air bag in the front.
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