The Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents has said there is still a huge demand for information on child seats from parents, five years on since the anniversary of new child seat law. The RoSPA has a dedicated website, funded by the Department of the Environent, @ www.childcarseats.org.uk  which averages around 4,000 visitors a day.

The award-winning website includes an overview of the law and also the various types of child seats available and how they should be fitted.

Brief summary of the law for children under three years in cars:

• You must ensure babies and toddlers use a child seat that is appropriate for their weight. The ONLY exception is for licensed taxis or private hire cars, where unrestrained travel is permitted if no appropriate seat is available. The RoSPA advises that all parents make appropriate arrangements before booking a taxi to enable a child seat is fitted however.
• Rear-facing child seats must not be used in the front passenger seat if the car has an active frontal airbag. Check with the manufacturers car handbook, if you have a front-facing child seat, about frontal airbags.

Brief summary of the law for children aged three years and over in cars:

• Chidren must use an appropriate child seat until they are 135cm tall (approximately 4ft 5in) or 12 years old- whichever comes first. This applies to sitting in the front or the rear of the car.
• The exceptions are licensed taxis or private hire cars if the child is travelling a short distance; if there are two occupied child restraints which prevent the fitting of a third; or, if seat belts are not fitted.

The above bullet points are only indicated as a guide only and you must ensure that you fully comply with the current law before setting off on a journey, so visit the RoSPA’s child seat website.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has just launched the 48th edition of their Yearbook of Road Tranport Law 2010. If you are a commercial fleet operator and run HGVs or other commercial vehicles and vans, then this book should keep you fully informed on all aspects of road transport legislation, health and safety and duty of care.

The 2010 yearbox has been written by a team of FTA experts and includes details of the new fixed penalty system introduced in May 2009 and used by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the police in roadside enforcement. The 2010 Yeabook costs £37.00 for FTA members or £79 for non-members with discounts for multiple copies. The FTA also publishes Van Drivers’ Handbook and the Dangerous Goods Drivers’ Handbook.

Visit www.shop.fta.co.uk to order.