With effect from 18th September 2006 the following new legislation came into force regarding child restraints in cars. It is compulsory for all children to use a child seat until they reach either 4ft 5in (135cm) in height, or the age of 12 years WHICHEVER IS SOONER. The only exception is if there are 3 children being carried in a car but only room for 2 car seats, in which case 2 children must be in car seats and the remaining child should wear a seat belt.  Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines up to £500.  

THESE REGULATIONS WILL AFFECT ANYONE TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO TABLE TENNIS MATCHES AND COMPETITIONS BOTH AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS.  

The ETTA is advising anyone involved in the sport who transports children that they MUST have the appropriate child seats in their vehicles.  As all parents are required to have the appropriate seats for their children the solution will be for anyone transporting children taking the child’s own seat and putting it in their vehicle for the duration of the trip.  In this way coaches and helpers will not have to meet the expense of buying their own child seats but will be complying with the law.

What are the seat belt wearing rules in mini-buses, buses and coaches?

• Seat belt wearing is already compulsory in minibuses under 2.54 tonnes unladen weight. If available, an appropriate child seat must be used in these vehicles but operators are not required to provide them.
• From 18 September, seated passengers aged 14 years and above will have to use seat belts where they are fitted in all buses and coaches. Regulations requiring children 3 years to 13 years to use seat belts (or child restraints if they are available) will be brought forward as soon as practicable. The regulations will not include any obligation for anyone to provide child restraints in these vehicles.
• Vehicle operators must notify passengers of the need to use seat belts. The regulations require notification by any of:
• (a) an official announcement, or an audio-visual presentation, made when the passenger joins the bus or within a reasonable time of his doing so;
• (b) a sign prominently displayed at each passenger seat equipped with a seat belt.
• An "official announcement" means one by the driver, by a conductor or courier or by a group leader of any passengers on the vehicle.
• A sign that takes the form of a pictorial symbol must be in the agreed form depicting a white figure on a blue background.
• DfT's letter of 11 August 2006 to operators explains all this in greater detail. It also contains a copy of the proscribed pictogram. That is available on-line at: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/divisionhomepage/039143.hcsp.
• There is nothing in law to prevent child restraints being used if they fit in a bus or coach. However, these vehicles may only have lap belts and most child seats need lap and diagonal belts in order to be secured. In addition, the seats in these vehicles may be the wrong proportions for child restraints.

Judy Rogers