Location de matériel pour les enfants !
Up to what age must a child use a car seat ?
For car journeys, a car seat is compulsory up to the age of 10. Your child must travel in a car seat that is suitable for their age and build (height and weight). The seat must be correctly fitted in the vehicle.
However, once children are over 10, they must be secured with a seatbelt.
If you are the driver, you must ensure that any passengers under the age of 18 are properly secured. They can be secured either by an approved child restraint system or by the car’s seatbelt.
Can a child under the age of 10 sit in the front of the vehicle?
It is prohibited to carry a child under the age of ten in the front seats of any vehicle, except:
. if the child is seated facing backwards in a seat designed for this purpose and the airbag has been deactivated;
if the vehicle has no rear seats or rear seat belts;
. if the rear seats of the vehicle are temporarily unusable or occupied by children under the age of 10 who are correctly secured.
If you fail to comply with these regulations, you may be liable for a fine applicable to 4th-class offences.
What does the R129 standard mean for a child car seat?
The R129 standard improves child safety in cars as it classifies car seats according to the child’s height rather than their weight, much like clothing sizes!
Here is the size breakdown under standard R129: from birth to 60 cm, from 60 to 75 cm, from 75 to 87 cm, from 87 to 105 cm, from 105 to 125 cm, and 125 cm and over.
Why should you use a rear-facing car seat for your baby until they are 15 months old or at least 87 cm tall?
Before your child is 15 months old, their head is relatively heavy and their neck is not yet developed enough to withstand the impact of a head-on collision. Keeping your child in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 15 months old minimises the effects of the impact in the event of an accident. A rear-facing position is five times safer than a forward-facing one! In the event of a head-on collision, the child’s head and neck are held against the back of the seat rather than being thrown forwards.
A child who is under 15 months old and less than 83–87 cm tall must be seated rear-facing. Even after 15 months, this position should be used for as long as possible. The seat must be fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The child’s head must be correctly positioned in the headrest. The baby must not be wearing any bulky clothing (thick jumpers, coats, etc.).
If the car seat is fitted in a rear-facing position in the front of the car, it is essential to deactivate the airbag system.
What are the most common installation errors for child car seats?
According to a study by Sécurité Routière, two out of three child car seats are incorrectly installed in France. The most common errors are as follows:
Can a child car seat be used in a taxi or private hire vehicle?
In taxis and private hire vehicles, children under the age of 10 are not required to use a child car seat if the vehicle is not fitted with one. However, they must travel in the back seat wearing a seatbelt.
Is a child car seat compulsory on a plane?
No, but it is strongly recommended for children under 2 years old travelling on a parent’s lap. Some airlines accept child car seats approved for use on aircraft (marked ‘For use in aircraft’ on the label). Check with your airline before your flight.
The FAMILIB.COM team