Tougher seatbelt laws for children come into force

Tuesday 18 August 2020

Children under the age of 14 will now have to wear a seatbelt by law whenever they are in a vehicle.

The law change - ordered by Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis - officially came into force yesterday.

The new law will not have an effect when traveling via bus and other transport where there are no restraints.

Children with disabilities or who suffer from medical issues are exempt from this regulation.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, has signed a Ministerial Decision introducing legislation which updates the requirements for children to wear seatbelts: https://t.co/tm63KgYSiF pic.twitter.com/A9XGC0BQBR

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) August 14, 2020

In the event of any unexpected emergency when travelling on public transport, this also doesn’t apply. 

The updated regulation aligns the Jersey law with the UK and EU laws. This is to make it easier for Jersey drivers travelling between France and the UK.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said he was "proud to be introducing these new regulations, which will help keep drivers and passengers (including children) safer on our roads."

Pictured: Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis.

He continued: "While drivers shouldn’t see any major change to their driving experience, these changes will help to protect children, regardless of what type of vehicle they’re in."