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Home » Dubai & Northern Emirates » Visiting UK - car seats for kids
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twilight
Posts 618

22/06/2012 14:23:02

Although there is an exemption in the new laws, which allows children under 3 to travel unrestrained in the back of a taxi, it is clearly a far from ideal situation. The exemption is there for practical reasons, rather than safety reasons, and there may be ways that you can provide a better level of safety for your child.

Firstly, if you have a child car seat that you can use in the taxi then this may be the safest option.

Telephone the taxi company before the journey and find out which car they will be bringing, to see if your own child restraint will fit. Some child car seat manufacturers have an online database so that you can look up which vehicles your restraint will fit safely, and you can telephone some child seat manufacturers for advice. Once you have found a taxi firm with vehicles your child seat will fit, keep using that firm and specify the vehicle you need when booking.

If you do not have a child restraint available for a journey, then it is worth asking the taxi company if they can provide a child restraint, although it’s unlikely they will be able to do so.

If the correct child restraint is not available in a taxi, then over 3 year olds must legally use the adult seat belt.

If you have a child car seat that you can use in the taxi then this may be the safest option.

An adult seat belt will offer some protection, but it is certainly not an ideal situation. Child restraints are much more effective at preventing injury. Again, if you have your own child restraint, see if it can be fitted into the taxi.

Some black cabs have child seats set into the centre arm rest so you could enquire about these before the journey, and if it would be suitable for your child.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/fromseptember06faq.htm


I would never travel with an unrestrained baby in a taxi, in any country especially on a long journey.

PennyLane
Posts 706

22/06/2012 13:13:42

twilight wrote:
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/fromseptember06.htm#summary


crikey, the exemptions on that are quite shocking..is this the current law or has it been updated ??

taxis/hire cars are exempt so JHI is correct..

twilight
Posts 618

22/06/2012 12:54:33

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/fromseptember06.htm#summary

JHI
Posts 17

22/06/2012 12:45:44

In cabs you don't need car seats. We were never asked to use one, although we still use ours on long cab journeys.

twilight
Posts 618

22/06/2012 12:04:31

carymama wrote:
Hi ladies...have a question about the law regarding car seats for kids in the UK. I have portable booster seats that I'm taking with me but was wondering if taxis will provide them or if they are not required by law in taxis? That way I'll know whether to pack them in my carry-on or checked in baggage. Thanks in advance!



All children under the age of 12 (i think) have to be in either a car seat or booster seat in the rear of the car. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front. I would suggest calling the cab firm to see if they have car seats.

carymama
Posts 497

22/06/2012 11:58:59

Hi ladies...have a question about the law regarding car seats for kids in the UK. I have portable booster seats that I'm taking with me but was wondering if taxis will provide them or if they are not required by law in taxis? That way I'll know whether to pack them in my carry-on or checked in baggage. Thanks in advance!

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