Law regarding carrying passengers in a car

[HappyFace]

A friend of my wife wants to catch a lift with her in our Renault Scenic. We have two children (5 & 2) each of which are in their own car seat. Thing is she also has two children and is happy for them to sit in the middle seat under the same seatbelt. They are 8 & 5. How does the law stand? How do you tell her, without appearing awkward that it is not right? When are the new laws regarding booster for all children under the age of 11 coming in to force?

[wduk2005]

completely illegal to have more people than the car is made for, the police would throw the book at you because its young children in question.

It would not be the child that gets in trouble, or the mother it would be you or whoever is driving as its their responsiblity. say that to her.

Cant help you on this new law tho aint got a clue about it, sorry

[furrycheeky]

Apart form it being illegal to have 4 kids in the space meant for 3, imagine her guilt if she was involved in an accident and her children were hurt because they were using the same seatbelt.

[stanleyman]

One seat belt one person, anything else is illegal and as wduk says the driver is responsible. If there was an accident both children would be thrown forward and hit the front passengers so you would be putting everyone at risk. Just tell her sorry but it's illegal and dangerous to do what she asks and your wife could lose her licence.

[Buenchico]

Basically, I agree with everything that's already been written. It's definitely both unsafe and illegal for two children to share one seat belt.

Perhaps surprisingly, offences relating to seatbelts don't carry penalty points so it's unlikely that Mrs HF could lose her licence. However, one of the most common causes of death, for drivers and front seat passengers involved in an accident, is being struck from behind by passengers who were not properly restrained. Mrs HF might not lose her licence but she could lose her life (together with the life of the child thrown forward).

To answer the last part of your question, the new regulations relating to child booster seats come into force in September:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsa fety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_611257.hcsp

Chris

[Toureman]

HappyFace, You won't have a Happyface if you allow this to happen!

Don't you watch the news!

A woman has just got 2 years in prison for doing this, being involved in an accident, (well I would call it manslaughter) for killing 3 people whilst being overloaded with rowdy children.

I cannot believe anyone would be so stupid to ask a question like this.

[gouldc]

In regards to Buenchico's reply, whilst this is correct, that applies to vehicles that carry the correct number of people (ie one per seatbelt).

The conviction that she could get is a CU50 - Casing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passenger.

I know this is 3 points, but I'm not sure if it's a fixed penalty

[JudgeJ]

gouldc is quite correct. Your wife�s friend should be aware that the offence mentioned does carry an endorsement and a minimum of three penalty points. It is also among those for which police can issue a fixed penalty of �60 and three points. However, if the fixed penalty is either not offered (because the police believe the circumstances are too serious) or is not accepted (because the driver wants either to plead not guilty or put forward mitigating circumstances) the matter will be heard in the magistrates� court.

Magistrates sentencing guidelines for an �average� offence are three points and a fine of half a week�s income. However, as with all offences that carry an endorsement they can impose a disqualification for the single offence alone. The maximum fine they can impose is �2,500.

Angela Dublin, the woman who was recently sentenced to two years imprisonment, was actually convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. Whilst the overloading of her vehicle certainly contributed towards the death of the victims, she was actually convicted because of her driving manner. Although the offence was aggravated by the overloading she was still sentenced to just two years for an offence which carries a maximum sentence of fourteen years.