Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993

PART III CHILDREN IN THE REAR OF A VEHICLE

General

7.  This Part has effect for the purposes of Article 129D of the Order.

Description of seat belts to be worn by children

8.—(1) For a child of any particular height and weight travelling in a particular motor vehicle, the description of seat belt prescribed for the purposes of Article 129D(1) of the Order to be worn by him is—

(a) if he is a small child and the vehicle is a relevant vehicle, a child restraint of a description specified in paragraph (2)(a) or (b);

(b) if he is a small child and the vehicle is not a relevant vehicle, a child restraint of a description specified in paragraph (2)(a);

(c) if he is a large child, a child restraint of a description specified in paragraph (2)(a) or an adult belt.

(2) The descriptions of seat belt referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) a child restraint with the marking required under regulation 47(8) of the Construction and Use Regulations if the marking indicates that it is suitable for his weight and either indicates that it is suitable for his height or contains no indication as respects height;

(b) a child restraint which would meet the requirements of the law of another member State corresponding to these Regulations were it to be worn by that child when travelling in that vehicle in that State.

Exceptions relating to motor vehicles

9.  The prohibitions in Article 129D(1) and (1A) of the Order shall not apply to—

(a) motor vehicles which are neither motor cars nor passenger cars;

(b) licensed taxis in which the rear seats are separated from the driver by a fixed partition.

Exceptions relating to children

10.—(1) The prohibitions in Article 129(D)(1) and (1A) of the Order shall not apply in relation to—

(a) a small child aged 3 years or more if a seat belt of a description prescribed by regulation 8 for a small child of his height and weight is not available in the front or rear of the vehicle and he is wearing an adult belt;

(b) a child holding a medical certificate;

(c) a child aged under 1 year in a carry cot, provided that the carry cot is restrained by straps; or

(d) a disabled child who is wearing a disabled person's belt.

(2) The prohibition in Article 129D(1) of the Order shall not apply in relation to—

(a) a small child in a passenger car if no appropriate seat belt is available for him in the front or in the rear of the vehicle;

(b) a small child in a vehicle other than a passenger car if no appropriate seat belt is available for him in the rear of the vehicle; or

(c) a large child in any vehicle if no appropriate seat belt is available for him in the rear of the vehicle.

(3) The prohibition in Article 129D(1A) shall not apply in relation to a child if no appropriate seat belt is available for him in the front of the vehicle.

Revocation

11.  The Regulations set out in Schedule 3 are hereby revoked.