Reminder to parents over children's car seats

The Department of Infrastructure is reminding parents and carers that children must use an car seat or appropriate restraint until they are 12 years of age or reach 4ft 5inches in height. 

A seatbelt will not effectively protect children if used alone and must be used in conjunction with another device. 

The car driver is legally responsible for implementing this until children reach the age of 14. 

Motorists who do not adhere to this will be given a £40 fixed penalty notice and if the case goes to court the maximum fine is £500. 

However police have warned that the emotional consequences of having a collision with an unrestrained child in the car could be far higher.