What is the UK law regarding children sitting in the front seat of cars?

[MoggyMummy]

I was speaking to a collegue and she told me that children over 3 were allowed to sit in the front seat of cars in the country - is this true?

Thanks!

Cars - Children under 3 years old
If carried in the front seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be used (the adult seat belt is not sufficient). Children under 3 years old may not travel in the front unless they are in a child restraint.

If carried in the rear seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be used, IF AVAILABLE.

If an appropriate restraint is fitted in the front of the car, but not the rear, children under 3 years old MUST sit in the front and use that restraint. Remember, you could move the restraint from the front to the rear if you wish. Rearward-facing seats are designed to be used in the rear as well as the front. You should always put a rearward-facing baby seat in the rear if is a front passenger airbag fitted.

Cars - Children Aged 3 to 11 years and under 1.5 metres tall
If carried in the front seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn.

If carried in the rear seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.

If an appropriate restraint or seat belt is fitted in the front of the car, but not in the rear, children between 3 to 11 years old and under 1.5 metres tall MUST use that restraint or seat belt. (Remember, you could move the restraint from the front to the rear if you wish).

Thanks Tarantula - I had no idea of the rules.

I read somewhere that the rules were changing from May (?) 2006 - i.e. becoming stricter. Anyone know anything about this?

from may 2006 all children under 10 years AND under 135cm HAVE to sit in an appropriate car seat.

and it will be ILLEGAL (not 'inadvisable') for baby seats to be used where there is an active airbag

Exceptions = where its not possible to fit 3 car seats in back, a child over 3 years can sit on middle seat with seatbelt only...

and "very short occasional journeys" which government WONT specify but DO NOT include school runs...

also will be illeagal to carry more passengers than seta belts fitted (i thought thia was the case anyway!)

How many times have we heard - "I was just popping to the corner shop" in relation to an accident. Ridiculous to exempt short occasional journeys - if it's that short you could just walk.

i think the rules are meaningless if they dont specify height. i sat in the back today whilst we drove up the motorway cos ds2 was poorly. this meant that ds1 (6) had to sit in the front. despite his age he still had his head on the head rest and (with the aid of his booster seat) was taller than many adults i have seen driving. i wouldnt let ds2 sit in the front cos he would flop about if he fell asleep (frequently does). its just one of those things that parents have to be sensible about

Most accidents happen on short, local journeys, apparently.

I agree, its a REDICULOUSE 'rule'!

i think it undermines the whole law TBH!