To think car seats until 12 is a bit OTT?

[ConvenientTruth]

I just looked up the actual law on car seats. Here it is: www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seat

Apparently children have to use car seats until the age of 12.

Am I alone in thinking this is a bit ridiculous? Parents of 11.5 year olds, do you all truly honestly still use a car seat?

According to this link: www.onaverage.co.uk/body-averages/average-child-height

An average height child would only need a car seat until they are 8-9 years old.

""Is this a new thing?
Mine were out of car seats by about 9""

I can remember it being in force in 2007.

It's because of the recording of Children's injuries and what caused them. Ill fitting Seatbelts don't give adequate protection against injuries.

I grew up with no Seatbelts and was sent the shop from five with a note for my Mums Cigs, individual stories are neither here or there, though.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.roadsafetyobservatory.com/Review/10074&ved=0ahUKEwin8eGQk8PKAhVGOCYKHRYlDloQFggkMAI&usg=AFQjCNFg9Z8G68RtfLoJtMNc9TWzYVp8Hg&sig2=c2UVMWne9xoFSLeSBRqAJA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Statistics here

It feels a bit ridiculous in the context of my own childhood, but I imagine the research must back it up and so we'll comply when the time comes. My DC are both under 5 so it'll be a while yet.

I think a child of secondary school age would be very embarrassed indeed if their peers knew about it. So I'm with you Adeleslostbeehive.

Not completely sold on the word 'embarrassing' but I understand and share your icky feeling on behalf of the kids.

My dd is nine and decided to put herself back in her booster seat after a safety talk I'm school. I'm not entirely sure she needs it but she says the seat belt fits better in it. She is over 135 cm.

I've kept all mine in high-backed boosters until about 140cm - for them about 8 years old!

Mine are 9&7, both over 135cm but still in high back boosters and nowhere close to being out of them size-wise. What I don't understand is that seatbelts are generally fitted to fit people over 150cm so why are children ok to be out of them at 135cm? Other countries in Europe have different laws that go up higher I believe.

I think it's ridiculous. That is almost 4 and a half feet. My granny would still be in a car seat at that rate.

Making auto manufacturers produce seatbelts that fit different body types would be a far better solution than making car owners fork over money for car seats or booster seats, many of which are not properly used or used with the seatbelt in the wrong place or not tight enough, etc., and thus almost useless in accidents.

And it isn't new - the height/age law came into effect in England (UK?) in 2006.

There is newer safety regulation to do with car seat sizes - called iSize. But that is for younger babies.

If you put a child of 140cm on the normal seat in the car the seatbelt does not fit across in the right place.

I also do not understand why parents rush to get their children out of car seats so quickly, it really doesn't make sense.

I read an article recently about the difference in safety with a high back compared to just a normal booster, after reading it I was surprised high backed boosters were not the law.

Surely if they are too short and not on a booster then the seatbelt will be uncomfortable across their neck?

Booster seats only cost about a tenner so no problem really.

I'm 148cm and my seatbelt doesn't fit properly. If only a booster seat could take my weight!

Agree OvO, I'm 5'1" (not sure what that is in cm) and often find if I sit in a back seat the seat belt cuts into my neck.

mathanxiety - that is why there is an age and a height - it is which ever comes sooner. So age 12 is the maximum age, regardless of height.

Car seats and high back boosters are generally safer for children due to having some side impact protection. Booster cushions and no car seat alone don't have that protection.

That's what these triangle things are for Jesabel.

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I remember my sister having one in the early 90s.

Ours faced rearwards until 4 and 3.5 respectively. It is size, not age...Why would it be ridiculous?

And as someone of 5 foot only - I know that many car seats, usually in the back of cars, do not always fit me. They come up too high and sit on my neck. If nothing else it can be uncomfortable - I have to sit and hold the belt away from my neck as it can rub. It is bound to be less safe.
Front car seats are often better for me as more have height adjusters.

I am laughing a little at childhood embarrassment being a factor in decision making though.

I've just remembered the height recommendations changed between my children so that is also part of why I did it differently with subsequent children.

My ds (turns 8 in a couple of months) is 148cm tall which is way too big for a high backed booster.

No, seems fine to me. It'll be 145cm in our house rather than the legal 135cm. We are using rear facing seats at the moment for both children - aged 3 years, 4 months and 17 months.

Safety, and ridiculously easy safety, first for us.

I could do with a booster seat at 162cm in my car at the moment. My last car had adjustable seatbelts but my current one does not. Built for the average man, I'd guess.

DS1 is 7 and has been out of a booster seat a fair while now. He's 140-something cm atm (can't remember exactly). The seat belt fits him perfectly, falling where it should do.

The only thing a booster seat would mean would be me having to make the adjustable bit of the seatbelt higher.

Parents seem to expect their children to be dafter than they are - if it is explained most children accept that a car seat is better than having the force of a crash against your neck.

I think their is an argument for car makers making the seatbelts more adjustable than they are in most cars but unless that happens then boosters are important.

Bookeatingboy - depends which one you buy; several are suitable for 150cm+