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MNHQ

Mumsnet on Jeremy Vine tomorrow talking car seat legislation - your views please!

92 replies

carriemumsnet · 12/09/2006 17:08

Hi all

We've been called by Jeremy Vine show to talk about new car seat legislation. Their interest was sparked by this article from the Times

There will be a govt minister and an 11 year old reluctant to return to his booster. Would love to hear your views so I can pass them on.

Do you think they should have introduced a law?
Do you think it's enforcable?
Have you seen the leaflet and is it clear to you what you need to do?
Are you worried about persuading your child that they have to go back into a car seat?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

SueW · 13/09/2006 06:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Medulla · 13/09/2006 07:11

I am really surprised that there has not been more publicity about this in the UK. I've known about this for months and months now. The RAF police have had posters up and articles in our local paper over here in Cyprus. I assumed that it would be a much bigger campaign in the UK. I can't believe there's been nothing on the TV. I would have slotted into adverts between childrens TV too but what do I know I'm only a mum

tigermoth · 13/09/2006 08:13

well as someone with a 'cool streetwise 12 year old' who narrowly escapes the new law, I think that yes, if age 11 he would have gone back to a booster seat. He is safety conscious and has grown up knowing dh and I always wear a seat belt. It's just an extension of that.

However, my job would have been much easier if there was an ad campaign on TV targetting older children and parents. I haven't seen any such campaign. A few facts, something graphic to show why a booster seat is 'essential kit' for an older child would have worked for my son. If the booster seats had an addidas, nike, caterpiller, Lonsdale, Manchester United, Simpsons, South Park or some such logo/ branding to make them sporty/trendy, much the better. Get some popular teen sport/music celebs to endorse. Job done.

Medulla · 13/09/2006 08:18

Absolutely tigermoth - its not hard is it too make these seats attractive to children. I'm surprised no one has latched onto this. A business oportunity beckoning., and just a couple of adverts at appropriate times to show why this law is important - maybe I'm missing something

DominiConnor · 13/09/2006 08:27

Lizs has corrected me that it is an EU directive, but I don't think the EU directive said "pass this law, but don't enforce it".
I think this is part of a bigger problem.

Drivers are a privileged species in the law.
If I was to get drunk and start throwing knives at people, I'd be banged up big time. If someone died, at the very least it would be manslaughter.

If I drunkenly drive a car far above the speed limit and kill someone, odds are that I do not do time, get a fine that's a small % of the cost of my car, and a short break from driving.

If a school or business was found to be breaking safety laws for kids, bad things would happen to them. If the child got hurt, the individuals concerned would get sacked, or otherwise suffer.

monkeytrousers · 13/09/2006 08:59

On the basis that he's one of the worst interviewers I've ever seen.

Marina · 13/09/2006 09:01

Totally agree there tigermoth - something like the very effective TfL ones aimed at teen safety on the roads. An ad campaign (not some yowling hedgehog singing out of key, thanks) would have been a great idea.
We're lucky really in that ds is only seven so has never been out of a third-stage booster seat. They were being sold some years ago in anticipation of this directive so we were able to choose a good Britax one in trendy colours.
We just refuse to start the car, or pull over immediately if anyone (guests included) starts mucking about with their seat, or refusing to wear a belt.
In urban areas like ours a lot of accidents happen when people cut corners at junctions or jump lights, leading to nasty side-on impacts. Ds is mainly in his seat because it has head restraints to help cushion against this type of crash.

bran · 13/09/2006 09:20

I think they could have removed the VAT from car seats/boosters to encourage people to buy them. It would have sent the message the child safety is more important than tax income. (Actually I'm not absolutely sure that they have VAT charged on them now, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

porridge68 · 13/09/2006 09:29

My DH is a firefighter, his opinion is that seatbelts can cause as many deaths as lives they save! I know that seems odd, but they have had as many serious injuries caused by seatbelts. I, amd my children, always belt up....Both of my girls escape the legislation due to reaching the height of 4ft5, one being 10 and the other 11. I had them checked much earlier this year. The reports on the subject are misleading tho. I keep hearing that children should use boosters until the age of 12. Had to check again the other day cos thought I had dreamt the 4ft5 ruling. Both of my DD's are taller than average and are quite solid in build so I will not be rushing out to get booster seats as this would be more dangerous to their health. They have adult stances, younger one wearing adult clothing even!, so to raise them up on booster cushions could cause serious hip damage in the event of an accident as they would be too high on a booster cushion.

hannahsaunt · 13/09/2006 09:33

Haven't read all the replies so apologies if cross posting. I think it's great that it's embedded in legislation - it means I have the weight of that behind me when ranting at my ridiculous MIL who doesn't see the need for short journeys and the like.

Medulla · 13/09/2006 09:34

Porridge does yor husband mean inappropriately fiited ones - like children using adult seatbelts causing internal organ damage or does he mean generally - I am interested in his view as he sees the damage caused by RTAs first hand. My husband is a GP, at the moment his medical centre covers an area for 1st response ambulance cover and he did A&E during training, some of his stories are horrific.

monkeytrousers · 13/09/2006 09:49

I've heard that seatbelts can cause horrible neck injuries and decapitaion in some cases.

MNHQ

carriemumsnet · 13/09/2006 10:15

Hi all

Well after all that they just called to say they've found someone who can come into the studio (I was going to do from home via phone) so I'm afraid I won't get to put your views forward. I will however try and get hold of the minister being interviewed and see if I can send this thread to him - or maybe see if we can get some clarification from somewhere on some of the points you've raised.

Thanks as ever for responding so quickly - do feel free to carry on the debate and call in from 11.30 if you fancy airing your views on air.

OP posts:

auntyquated · 13/09/2006 13:12

bad mothers club women it is

on now

southeastastra · 13/09/2006 13:27

blimey he cut off that women who was saying about her 11 year old being teased because of his height pretty quickly!

Tinker · 13/09/2006 13:38

VAT is 5% on car seats

PeachyClairHasBadHair · 13/09/2006 14:05

I didn't realise VAT on car seats; that is pathetic, truly wrong

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