Booster seats to become compulsory

Plans being drawn up the government will make child car seats and booster cushions compulsory for children under 10. The new rules, which could be in place as early as September, will offer protection for children from ill-fitting adult seatbelts.

One in ten parents stops using child car seats by the time their children are three and almost two thirds of parents stop using any kind of car seat or booster cushion by the time their children reach six.

' Most people make sure that children use some kind of restraint, but It is vitally important to use the right one and not to use an adult belt before the child is big enough,' Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman tells The Telegraph. 'Small children need the protection that baby seats and child seats are designed to provide. Seat belts are designed for adults. Children who have grown out of child seats still need to use booster seats and cushions. These changes could prevent over 2,000 child deaths or injuries each year.'

The new rules will apply to all children over the age of three and shorter than 4ft 5in.

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