Not 100 percent but i think action could be taken if provable by the police. I know of one man in the local paper arrested and sent to court by this means. He was reported throwing a crisp wrapper out the window by someone and on his arrest he addmitted it and was fined and paid court costs. So i suppose it depends on if it's addmitted.
The law requires children travelling in cars to use an appropriate child restraint or adult seat belt, if they are available. Children cannot be carried in the front seat unless they are either in a child restraint or are using the seat belt. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 years are either using an appropriate child restraint or an adult seat belt if available.
Children under 3 years old
If carried in the front seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be used (the adult seat belt is not sufficient). Children under 3 years old may not travel in the front unless they are in a child restraint.
If carried in the rear seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be used, IF AVAILABLE.
If an appropriate restraint is fitted in the front of the car, but not the rear, children under 3 years old MUST sit in the front and use that restraint. Remember, you could move the restraint from the front to the rear if you wish. Rearward-facing seats are designed to be used in the rear as well as the front. You should always put a rearward-facing baby seat in the rear if is a front passenger airbag fitted.
Children Aged 3 to 11 years and under 1.5 metres tall
If carried in the front seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn.
If carried in the rear seat, an appropriate child restraint MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
If an appropriate restraint or seat belt is fitted in the front of the car, but not in the rear, children between 3 to 11 years old and under 1.5 metres tall MUST use that restraint or seat belt. (Remember, you could move the restraint from the front to the rear if you wish).
Children Aged 12 or 13 years or younger children 1.5 metres or more in height
If carried in the front or rear seat, an adult seat belt MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
Passengers Over 14 years old
If travelling in the front or rear seat, an adult seat belt MUST be worn IF AVAILABLE.
These days the interior of cars are very dangerous pre-tension seat belts, air bags, side air bags, side air curtains, seat side airbags all exploding in micro seconds,...... they all make us feel very safe in our little metal boxes. Thats why i drive big cars they can withstand impacts far, far better.
Anyone of these can seriously hurt or KILL a child if not properly restrained, yes this is a fact, i work in the motor industry and stuff like this is circulated.
This is why cars have warning stickers on them best thing is to have children in the back and belted up securely, rear seat belts generally dont have pretensioners and wont smash childrens clavical's or cause internal haemorrhages.
Never have a seat belt across a childs throat always have a booster seat or correctly adjust the seat belt height adjuster on the 'B' or 'C' pillar as they can suffer serious neck injury !
Scary that isn't it !
I also had the 'misfortune' of seeing the results of a child going head-first through a windscreen I was only 7 or 8 at the time but I still remember the little girl's face and how badly scarred she was.
Belt up safely coz it isn't just you living with the consequences. :cry:
newt xx