HC Deb 22 October 2002 vol 391 cc166-7W
Mr. Fallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the rules governing the wearing of seat restraints for children under four years old; and what figures he has collated for incidents involving such children in the last five years. [76232]

Mr. Jamieson

The law on the wearing of child restraints is summarised as follows:

Mr. Fallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the United Kingdom's position in the draft directive amending Directive 91/671 on seat belts; and if he will make a statement in the likely timetable for adoption and implementation into UK domestic law. [76233]

Mr. Jamieson

The Government has supported the general thrust of the Commission's proposals to update EU Directive 671/91 on seat belt wearing. The Directive has yet to receive the approval of the European Parliament but once it comes into force, probably early in 2003, the Government will consult on the necessary legislation to bring the provisions into domestic law. A timetable has not yet been established for that.

1997 to 2001. Child, 0–3 years. Passenger Casualties in Road Vehicles (cars, goods vehicles, buses and coaches)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Killed 14 17 18 10 15
Seriously Injured 201 222 165 149 143
Slightly injured 2,840 2,673 2,571 2,338 2,440
Total 3,055 2,912 2,754 2,497 2,598

Source:

Road Accidents Great Britain, published by the Department for Transport