How do you transport children in the car?

Every parent should take care of their child’s safety when travelling with them. It is crucial to follow the rules and use common sense and care for your child.

The rules are most important

First of all, it is worth getting acquainted with the current regulations concerning the carriage of children. These are two accepted standards that must be followed.

1. Children under 3 years of age must ride in a child seat,
2. Children under 150 centimetres in height must ride in a child seat or cradle. They also cannot use the front seat while driving.

Although these are just two rules, they cover a sizable group of children. We are talking about all toddlers up to the age of three and any child whose height is less than 150 centimeters. Of course you should follow the rules, but also listen to the voice of reason. After all, the safety of the child, especially during a collision or accident, is of utmost importance. Parental bravado, thinking in terms of “it will work out somehow” or “but my daughter wanted to ride in front” is not appropriate here. Unfortunately, many parents underestimate the safety rules and unpleasant situations often arise.

When can a child ride without a car seat?

A child seat or booster seat is mandatory for children less than 150 centimetres tall. It is also compulsory to use a child safety seat for children under 3 years old. However, there are exceptions to these rules, which are discussed below.

• The child is more than 135 centimeters tall but less than 150 centimeters. Unfortunately his body weight does not allow him to ride comfortably in a car seat or a pad.
• A certificate from a doctor stating any health contraindications. These may include, among others, problems with the spine. The document with the doctor’s signature should always be with you in case of a roadside check.
• The last situation is a bit controversial but acceptable under the law. When you are transporting three children and the back seat does not fit three car seats, the oldest one can travel sitting directly on the back seat between two car seats. He must, of course, be strapped in with a seat belt appropriate to his height. However, in the event of a collision, a child can easily slip out of the seat belt, which can have tragic consequences.

Carrying children under the age of three

Here the situation is relatively simple. First, the toddler rides backwards in a baby carrier. This can be either the back or the front of the car. Of course, remember to turn off the airbag in the passenger seat. When the child sits up independently or is too big for the carrier, you can decide to buy a seat up to 18/25 kilograms. It is best if it is a seat with side reinforcements, which increases safety in side collisions. If possible, it should be equipped with an isofix system, which in addition to greater stability also guarantees easy installation. Top Tether is another key component of any car seat. Also remember the five-point seat belt.

Safety in the car for children over three years

Preparing a seat in the car for a child over the age of three doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s likely that the same car seat will suffice for some time to come. As your child grows, you should consider replacing it. A good idea will be car seats in the weight range of 15-36 kilograms. This type of model should be sufficient until about 12 years of age. In this case, the height of the headrest is usually adjustable, so as the child grows, the seat grows with him

From when can my child ride in a booster seat?

If your child is less than 150 centimetres tall, but weighs more than 22 kilograms, you can choose a booster seat. It is worth remembering that this solution is increasingly being abandoned for safety reasons. A booster seat will never protect your child as well as a built-in car seat

When a child is taller than 150 centimeters, it can become a full-fledged passenger. Then the front seat is open for him. However, bear in mind that in a frontal collision a child occupying the passenger seat is at risk. So think about the situation, and maybe have your children sit in the back seat after all.