Black cabs in London: is a car seat needed?

[clemsterdarcy]

Hi
Have to journey between London train stations and was planning on carrying 9 week old dd in babybjorn and just jumping in cab but heard that law dictates car seat required. Such a faff hauling stroller etc on trains tho'.

Anyone know specifically what is/isn't allowed?

Taaaaaaaaaa

Not legally required in a taxi.

That's what I thought too ... but my HV said black cabs different? aaaah

not required in black cabs. def.

thanks mnetters!

also had small brainwave and went to department of transport website ... here you go ...

"If a restraint is not available in a licensed taxi/private hire vehicle, the child may travel unrestrained."

hmmmm much easier but now i am thinking ... how safe are those drivers?????

if it were me, i personally would want such a small baby in a car seat, however can appreciate that it would be awkward to cart car seat about.

well... if you put the seatbelt on you and she is starpped to you, thats pretty restrained in case of, say, sudden stops. IYSWIM. (obv seatbelt straps need to be against your body and not over dd anywhere b/c if you did stop suddenly and straps were, say, over her legs, it might hurt them, and if it were an actual collision, could hurt them quite badly...

I have never, ever, ever heard of anyone killed in a black cab in London. I have travelled with a baby and small child in a black cab plenty of times.

i honestly feel that w dd in a sling/bjorn thing, and you seatbelted in - youre both safe as houses.