NEW safety rules came into effect on Monday for minibus and coach owners which demand that seat belts for children be fitted to forward facing seats.

The law has been welcomed by council safety experts who are anxious to make sure that children are belted up before each journey.

They are also keen to know that all operators and owners of coaches and minibuses are aware of the changes which affect those which carry three or more children on organised trips regardless of whether the vehicles are hired commercially or are privately owned.

Trevor Higson, Road Safety Officer for the borough, said: "I welcome this new legislation since it will improve the protection available to child passengers. School outings, trips by youth clubs and voluntary organisations, and journeys to and from school will all be affected.

"The rules could reduce the capacity of some vehicles, since they require forward facing seats with a belt available for each child. So vehicles with some side or rear facing seats will be restricted to carrying children only on the forward facing seats fitted with belts."

He added that for the purpose the legislation, anyone from three years of age to 15 counts as a child, and the minimum kind of seat belt required is a lap strap.

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