Drivers transporting children in unsafe conditions may be fined by police

As of February 2015, drivers can only carry minors if they are wearing seat belts or if they are in a special child seat, according to road legislation. At the same time, drivers are not allowed to transport children in cars lacking safety systems. Persons who violate these obligations risk a fine of several hundred lei.

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Starting with the first part of last year, drivers have to meet new obligations when it comes to transporting children by car, otherwise, they can be sanctioned by police with a fine of 500 or 625 lei.

First and foremost, drivers must ensure that children either wear their seat belts or sit in an approved child restraint device, as provided by the Road Code: "Drivers having seats provided with seat belts they have the obligation to ensure that, while driving the vehicle, minors wear seat belts or are only transported in approved child restraint devices. " london minicab service

Then, the normative act prohibits the transport of children up to three years old in cars that do not have safety systems. However, exceptions to the rule are motor vehicles for public passenger transport and taxis, in the latter, it is necessary for the minors to stay in any place other than the one next to the driver and be supervised by another person.

If they are over three years old and have a height of up to 150 centimeters, minors can be transported in cars without safety systems only if they are staying in any place other than the one next to the driver, which is shown in the Road Code.

Persons who do not comply with these legal obligations may be penalized by police officers with four or five fine points. Specifically, given that the penalties for road traffic offenses have increased significantly since May 1, the sanctioned drivers must pocket 500 or 625 lei (information about the new fines applicable from May 1 is here ). In addition, the police also apply three penalty points for these violations.

Special belt or seat? It depends on the height of the childThe provisions of the Road Code regarding the transport of children are explained in the Regulation for the application of this normative act. Thus, when it comes to choosing the right safety system, drivers should take into account the height of the children.

Minors up to 135 cm in height must be "fastened or fastened with a child restraint installed in the vehicle", the regulation writes. As I wrote before, the obligation is not valid for public transportation and taxis, but it is mandatory for the minors to be supervised by another person besides the driver.

If they are over 135 cm in height, minors can be transported by car either by wearing a seat belt (which must be adjusted so that it does not pass through the neck or face area) or by sitting in the special child seat.

Regarding the child seat, the Regulation for the application of the Road Code states that it must be approved and installed on one of the rear seats of the car, as provided by the manufacturer's instructions. By way of exception, the child seats can also be mounted on the seat next to the driver (if the manufacturer has provided this possibility), but only if the car does not have the airbag corresponding to that place (or if the driver deactivates it).

Important! Minors for whom an exemption certificate has been issued for serious medical reasons, for which the wearing of safety systems is contraindicated, should not wear the seat belt or sit in the special child seat. In this case, minors must sit in one of the rear seats, and if they are under three years old, they need a supervisor (other than the driver).