Road safety chiefs are reminding Fenland motorists new laws governing the use of child car seats will be coming into force from 18 September 2006. Cambridgeshire County Council s Road Safety team will be promoting the use of booster cushions, as the new l

Road safety chiefs are reminding Fenland motorists new laws governing the use of child car seats will be coming into force from 18 September 2006.

Cambridgeshire County Council's Road Safety team will be promoting the use of booster cushions, as the new laws come into force, and helping parents and carers understand exactly what they are being asked to do.

The new laws state that:

* All children under 3 years old must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in any car or goods vehicle, either in the front or the back, with the single exception for the rear of taxis. They cannot travel otherwise. This means for example that they may not travel in cars, vans or goods vehicles, which do not have seat belts installed.

* Children from 3 to 12 years old and up to 135 cms (approx 4 ft 5 inches) in height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars or goods vehicles fitted with seat belts.

* Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in seats with an active front air-bag

* If no seat belts are fitted in the front, then children under 135cms in height (who are also under 12 years of age) cannot travel in the front.

* Where seat belts are provided, the number of people (children) carried in the rear of vehicles may not exceed the number of seats and seat belts available.

Information will be sent out to parents, and carers, of primary school aged pupils, at the beginning of the new school term, and advertising will appear in local publications to explain the new regulations.

Debbie Maith, Road Safety Officer for Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "The Department for Transport estimates, that the new laws could prevent over 2000 child deaths or injuries each year. Most people wear the right restraint, when travelling around the County, but there are still a significant minority who don't. It is so important that everyone makes sure that they and their passengers wear the right seatbelt or sit on the right seat, to stay safe on our roads. Children are one of the most precious cargoes you will ever carry and their safety must be paramount. Cambridgeshire saw a record low last year in the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and we want to make sure we beat that target next year."

For further information about the laws and how they could affect you please contact the Road Safety Team on 01480 375105 or e-mail Road.Safety@cambridgeshire.gov.uk