Some people may find these regulations absurd, but they concern human life. The age limit for a child (12 years), which was removed from the Road Traffic Act and exempted parents or guardians from the obligation to transport the child in a car seat or other restraint device, has been replaced by an obligation to use a car seat even until the child reaches adulthood. To travel as safely as possible, it is important to choose and install the right child restraint system. To begin with, Wrocław police officers provide a handful of specific points to make it easier to make the right decision.

Children must always be transported in a car seat

During sudden braking or another manoeuvre, a small child transported without a car seat is completely defenceless. It is enough to watch a crash-test video involving dummies online: children who are not secured with seat belts or a car seat are crushed during braking. A properly selected car seat is absolutely essential, both when transporting a child in your own car and in someone else’s car, such as a taxi.

Even if we are travelling only to the next junction or a nearby shop, and even if it seems that nothing bad can happen on the way, transporting a child without a car seat puts their life at risk. Holding a child in an adult’s arms provides no protection whatsoever (during sudden braking, it is impossible to hold an infant—the child then “weighs” more than 90 kg), nor does fastening the adult and child together with a seat belt (braking throws the adult’s body forward with such force that the child in front of them may be cut in half), or any other “home-made” safety method.

Transporting infants in a suitably adapted pram bassinet is also not recommended. The law permits this solution, but bassinets for transporting infants were invented only to provide some form of protection during transport for children who, for important medical reasons, absolutely cannot remain in a semi-reclined position. Therefore, if we have a choice, we should always choose a car seat rather than a bassinet for transporting an infant.

Choose the model carefully

We should not make this decision hastily or in a baby-accessories shop. First, we need to check the results of the tests to which car seats are subjected (they can be found online). We should look at current tests, not those from many years ago, because models and their properties change. When choosing a car seat, unlike when choosing a pram or other baby equipment, we should not rely on opinions passed on by acquaintances, but on hard facts and crash-test documentation.

If the car in which the child will be transported is equipped with the ISOFIX system, it is worth choosing a compatible car seat. ISOFIX enables a safer installation—the seat is more firmly connected to the car (when secured with seat belts, “slack” can occur, leaving the child less well protected). This does not mean, however, that we should choose just any ISOFIX car seat. The choice should also be preceded by checking test results, because this category includes both better and worse models.

Match car seats to the child’s age and size

Car seats are available in several weight categories. Group 0+ (0–13 kg) is intended for newborns and infants; Group I (9–18 kg) for children up to 3–4 years old; and Group II–III (15–36 kg), a booster seat with a backrest, for older children. There are also models designed to last longer and grow with the child. However, whenever possible, we should use models more precisely suited to the child’s weight and size.

It is also worth knowing that older children are currently not recommended to travel on special booster cushions that do not protect the child’s torso or ensure the proper positioning of the seat belt. When adapting a car seat to a child, we must consider not only the child’s weight but also check whether their head is adequately protected. In a Group 0+ seat, the child’s head must not extend above the backrest; in subsequent groups, the backrest must not fall below the child’s eye level.

Never save money on safety

When buying a car seat, its price should not be a criterion for us. It is impossible to save money on a child’s safety and life. You can buy a poor-quality pram, second-hand clothes or simple toys, but the car seat must be the best.

Trust tests, not promises

This is also the only item of equipment that is not worth buying second-hand. We can never be sure that the seller has not concealed the fact that the car seat suffered damage that is not immediately visible, was involved in a road collision or is too old (even an undamaged car seat should not be used for more than five years). We may take over a used car seat only from close and highly trusted people, and only if it is in perfect condition, has high test ratings and fits our car.

Always test the equipment in the car

Even the best car seat will not ensure a child’s safety if it does not fit our car. This mainly concerns the contouring of the bench seat or seats and the length of the seat belts. Before buying a particular model, we must test-fit it in our own car. If it cannot be installed properly or rocks from side to side after installation, we must look for another model.

Choose the safest place in the car

The safest place to transport a child in a car seat is in the middle of the rear bench, provided that this position is equipped with ISOFIX or a three-point seat belt and is wide enough for the seat to be installed safely and stably. The second choice is the seat behind the passenger; the seat behind the driver is less safe. Although the law permits transporting children in the front seat (only when that position is not equipped with an airbag or we are certain that the airbag has been successfully deactivated), it is better not to take such a risk. Even if the driver is the only adult in the car, and even if placing the car seat on the rear bench prevents visual contact with the child, it is safer for the child to travel in the back.

Install it correctly

Children should be transported rear-facing for as long as possible. This applies not only to the installation of Group 0+ car seats but also to later groups, if the manufacturer allows it. Even if the child has to travel with their legs bent, this does not pose any danger to their safety. A rear-facing child is much better protected against injuries, especially to the spine and head, than a child travelling forward-facing. Every time we install a car seat in the car, we must check that the fastening belts are not twisted, too loose or incorrectly fastened. We must also check the internal harness in seats for younger children. The rule here is: “the tighter the straps, the safer.” Of course, not excessively tight, but we should eliminate all “slack” (this is particularly important in winter, when it is difficult to fasten a heavily dressed child).

Replace them when necessary and do not endanger others

If the car seat we bought has suffered any damage, or if during use it turns out that it cannot be installed correctly and with optimal safety, we must replace it with equipment that fully protects our child. If, while protecting our own child, we dispose of an unsuitable or damaged car seat, we must not sell it! Even for the sake of losing several hundred złotys, it is not worth endangering another child’s health and life.

When does a child not have to be transported in a car seat?

Under current regulations, parents and guardians are exempt from the obligation to transport a child in a car seat or other restraint device if:

  • the child is shorter than 150 cm and taller than 135 cm and, due to their weight and height, it is not possible to provide them with a suitable child safety seat or other device (note! The child may sit only in the rear seat and must be secured with a seat belt);
  • the child’s parent or guardian has a medical certificate stating that use of a car seat is contraindicated;
  • we are transporting three children and the car does not allow three car seats to be installed in the back. Note! The third child may sit in the back, between the car seats, but should be at least 3 years old and secured with a seat belt. Remember! Although this solution is conditionally permitted, it is very dangerous for the third child. During an accident, the child may slip out of the belt and suffer serious injuries. A much better and safer method is to install the third car seat in the front seat of the car.
  • The obligation to transport a child in a car seat also does not apply when travelling by taxi, a specialist medical transport vehicle, or a vehicle belonging to the Police, Border Guard or municipal (city) guard.

What do the regulations strictly prohibit?

Following amendments to the Road Traffic Act, stricter regulations were introduced concerning:

  • the prohibition on transporting a child in a rear-facing car seat on the front seat if the car is equipped with a passenger airbag (unless it is deactivated);
  • the prohibition on transporting a child under 3 years of age in a car without seat belts—under the previous regulations, if a car was not factory-equipped with seat belts, the parent or guardian was not obliged to transport the child in a car seat. The prohibition applies to a small group of vehicle owners, because few cars without installed seat belts remain on Polish roads. These are mainly historic vehicles from the 1970s.
  • the prohibition on transporting a child shorter than 150 cm in the front seat without a child safety seat or other restraint device.

Transporting a small passenger in a car requires not only compliance with the regulations, but also prudence and the highest level of care. Let us remember that this is not about financial savings or a fine, but about our children’s safety. A properly selected car seat and fastened belts can protect a child from loss of life and health.