South Meath Driving School

There was a time when fathers left the childrens’ affairs to mother and the child-carrier was fitted on the rear of her bicycle. It was a much safer place for a child than the modern front or rear seat of a motorcar. Daddy had to step into line in the last forty years with the onset of seat belts for his passengers and, under EU legislation, more stringent laws for child safety.

Mary O’Rourke has said that when Charlie Haughey offered her a first ministerial post she was delighted until he told her it was Children and Youth Affairs or whatever it was called then. She declined the offer saying she could do her knitting at home. Plucky Mary then got a more challenging post. She didn’t belittle the importance of children or their safety in her refusal. Frances Fitzgerald, the incumbent minister with that portfolio, is as busy as a queen bee promoting child protection legislation, prison issues to mental health.

Anyone who has reared or is rearing a child knows only too well the importance of the safety of such child from cradle to car seat, from bicycle to car steering wheel. With 2.5 million vehicles on Irish roads, think Safety First for the weaker ones.

• It is compulsory for all children to travel in the correct child seat, booster seat or booster cushion.
• Where safety belts have been fitted, they must be worn.
• Children under 3 years of age must not travel in a car or goods vehicle (other than a taxi) unless restrained in the correct child seat.
• Generally, children aged 3 and over and up to 11 or 12 years old (weight and height are relevant) must use the correct child seat/boosters in cars or goods vehicles.
• Children over 3 years must travel in a rear seat in vehicles not fitted with safety belts.
• Rearward-facing child car seats must NEVER be used in the front passenger seat of cars with an active airbag.
• Child car seats must be in accordance with EU standards.
• Drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure passengers aged under 17 use the correct seat, booster seat/cushion or seat belt.

Ensuring a child is properly restrained in a child car seat can reduce injuries by a factor of 90-95% for rear-facing seats and 60% for forward-facing seats, (source – AA Motoring Trust).

Illustrated baby seats –

• Use a rearward-facing baby seat for babies up to 13Kgs (29lbs), i.e. birth to 12 – 15 months
• Forward-facing child seat, weight 9-18 kgs (20-40lbs), age range 9 months – 4 years.
• Booster seat, weight 15 – 25 kgs (33-55lbs) Age range 4 -6 years.
• Booster cushion, weight 22-36kgs (48-79lbs), Age range 6 to 12 years.

Drivers who carry children in their cars only occasionally should be aware of their obligation to comply with the law for however short their journey. Remember, it should not be your fear of getting ‘caught’ by the Gardai, rather fear the mishap, crash or possible serious injury. Be in control of your own destiny.