The seat belt is the simplest and most effective protection in a vehicle. For children it is not enough on its own: their size calls for a suitable restraint.
The seat belt
The seat belt is compulsory in every seat fitted with one, front and rear alike. The driver is responsible for themselves and for children; adult passengers are responsible for themselves.
Why it matters so much: in an impact at 50 km/h the energy corresponds roughly to a fall from about 10 metres. Without a belt it is physically impossible to hold yourself back – and an unbelted rear passenger becomes a projectile for those in front.
There are few exceptions, for example during parking manoeuvres at low speed or for certain occupational groups with frequent stops. A medical exemption must be certified.
Children
A child restraint is required until the child has turned 12 or reaches 150 cm. The decisive rule:
Only one of the two conditions needs to be met – a 10-year-old measuring 155 cm no longer needs a seat, an 11-year-old measuring 140 cm does.
The seat must be approved and suited to the child's weight and height. A child too small for the belt alone would slide under the lap belt in an impact.
Airbag and loose items
Never place a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat while the frontal airbag is active. On deployment it would strike the shell of the seat – and thus the baby's head – with considerable force. The airbag must be deactivated first.
Items in the cabin obey the same physics as passengers: in an emergency stop, luggage on the rear shelf flies through the vehicle. Stow heavy items in the boot, as low and as far forward as possible.
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