Seat belts

It is an offence for an individual not to wear a seatbelt if one is available to wear. However, it also the responsibility of the driver to ensure that children under 14 are wearing seatbelts or child restraints where appropriate and where available.

Person	Front seat	Rear seat	Responsibility of
DRIVER	Must be worn if fitted	-	Driver
Child under 3 years of age	Appropriate child restraint* must be worn	Appropriate child restraint* must be worn if available	Driver
Child aged 3 to 11 and under, 1.5metres (about 5 feet) in height	Appropriate child restraint* must be worn if available. If not, an adult seat belt must be worn	Appropriate child restraint* must be worn if available. If not, an adult seat belt must be worn if available	Driver
Child aged 12 or 13 or younger child 1.5metres or more in height	Adult seat belt must be worn if available	Adult seat belt must be worn if available	Driver
Passengers over the age of 14	Must be worn if available	Must be worn if available	Passenger

* An appropriate child restraint can be a baby carrier, harness or booster seat or a child seat, the suitability of which is determined by the weight of the child. Approved child restraints must carry the BS "Kitemark" or United Nations "E" mark. A restraint will be labelled by the manufacturers to show the weight for which it has been designed.Small children may find it more comfortable to use a booster cushion (not a household cushion) when wearing an adult belt.

All cars manufactured since 1973 should be fitted with front and rear seatbelts. Cars manufactured prior to that date, do not have to have seatbelts but if they have been subsequently fitted, they must be worn.

Read more