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Or then again, it could be something informative and araldite but not as thrilling as, say, watching Mr Darcy skinny-dipping in THAT scene from Pride and Prejudice (if that's what appeals to you, which it might not be, of course. Substitute fantasy figure as appropriate.)
I've been checking out the rules and regs regarding seatbelts, my hopefully soon-arriving RV and my three small children. Here's what I found on the DVLA website, and my interpretation for my situation. I realise that this is probably 'old hat' for you 'old hands' out there, but I thought I would post what I found anyhow, just in case.
A. My vehicle has no seat belts, or no rear seat belts
If a vehicle has no seat belts, a child aged 3 years and over may travel in a rear seat unrestrained. ... A child under 3 years old may not travel.
B. My vehicle has lap belts
A child is not exempt from using a child restraint if using a seat with only a lap belt. ... consider retro-fitting a lap and diagonal belt. ... A lap belt does not provide maximum protection for a child, whether used with a booster or not. ... Children may need to be shuffled round in the vehicle ...
D. My vehicle has sideways-facing seats
There has never been a legal requirement to fit seat belts in sideways-facing seats. The ... potential for internal and spinal injury is high if a passenger is secured with a seat belt in a sideways-facing seat. A child who is required to use child seats/boosters (ie all those under 135 cms and under 12 years of age) cannot travel in a sideways-facing seat. They must use a forward or rearward facing seat only.
F. My vehicle is a camper van with no rear seat belts
A child under 3 years old must use the correct baby/child seat, thus could only travel if the child restraint can be used with a front seat belt. A child of 3 years and above and up to 135 cms in height must use child seats/boosters in the rear where seat belts are fitted but may travel unrestrained in a rear seat. The new rules do not require people to fit seat belts in the rear of vehicles.
End Quote
My assessment on this is:
* My baby, in a carry-tot (which can be used safely with a lap belt) could go in the front passenger seat, air-bag deactivated or in the dinette, rearward-facing on a forward-facing chair (belt fittings not designed for rear-facing chairs)
* My three-and four-year-olds could travel in their car seats in the front passenger seat, or in the dinette, fore or aft, but not on the side-facing sofa. They would use the lap belts. These are frowned upon, but not forbidden. There is no requirement to fit three-point belts.
* Had there not been seat belts in the dinette, the older children could travel fore and aft with no belts. But not on the sofa in any case (or in a sideways-facing dinette as in many European models). The babe would have to be strapped in up front.
* Adult passengers may travel on the sofa if they choose, but safer not to belt up, even tho' belts are fitted. Better to travel in the dinette, belted.
* I've no idea what the regs are regarding the lounge chair, which has a belt fitted. Perhaps it locks for travelling, somehow, rather than swivelling around and around - Could make roundabouts interesting!
I am suddenly reminded of a greetings card I saw once, showing a class of students, one with his (it had to be a bloke) hand raised. the card read
"Please, Sir, may I be excused? My brain is full."
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UK
but not forbidden. There is no requirement to fit three-point belts.
