Updated seatbelt rules for children

The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, has signed a Ministerial Decision introducing legislation which updates the requirements for children to wear seatbelts. 

The Motor Vehicle (Wearing of Seatbelts by Children) (Jersey) Order 2020 comes into effect on Monday 17 August. It aligns the law in Jersey with the law in the UK and EU, and makes it more consistent for drivers travelling between the Island and the UK or France.

Children under the age of 14 will be required to wear appropriate restraints whenever they are in a vehicle. There are specific exceptions (including for buses and taxis) where children could wear an adult seatbelt if there is no appropriate restraint available.

Children with disabilities are exempt from the regulations if they are medically exempt from wearing a restraint, or can be appropriately restrained.

The regulations do not apply in the case of an unexpected emergency, or in buses, if the bus is licenced and standing is allowed. 

A full list of exceptions, and the full legislation is available online.

Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said: “I’m proud to be introducing these new regulations, which will help keep drivers and passengers (including children) safer on our roads. 

“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.”