The car seat is one of the safety systems for cars that transport children under 150 cm in height. To be approved, from September, must only comply with the technical reference standard AN ECE R129, certified by a special label sewn or applied to the product.

So the UNECE R/44 it has been definitively excluded from the new Highway Code.

What's new starting from September?

The new Highway Code, which will come into force in September, provides for some changes compared to the current one also for those travelling with children and aims to protect them even more.

The news also concerns the riser or riser, for older children, and theegg or carrycot for newborns.

UNECE R44/04 regulation establishes 5 groups of car seats, based on the weight of the passenger:

  • Group 0: for children weighing less than 10 kg
  • Group 0+: for children weighing less than 13 kg.
  • Group 1: for children between 9 and 18 kg.
  • Group 2: for children between 15 and 25 kg.
  • Group 3: for children between 22 and 36 kg.

La R 129 regulation, which replaces the ECE R44 / 04, instead, establishes the child height ranges for the different types of seats, therefore, from the first of September, they can be We produce and market only car seats that comply with the ECE R129/i-Size regulation.

Those who purchased approved products before September 2024 in accordance with ECE R44/04 regulation will equally use them for the entire duration foreseen by the category to which they belong. Child seats with this previous approval may be sold until August 31, 2024.

What will be the sanctions for those who do not respect the rules?

Anyone who does not respect the rules will be given a fine ranging from 80 to over 300 euros and will have 5 points deducted from their license..

If they are found two violations of the same infraction within two years there will be a risk of suspension of driving license for a period ranging from 15 days to two months.

What does the incorrect use of “child restraint systems” lead to?

According to the Higher Institute of Health on Road Safety, they are few drivers use safety devices correctly also called “child restraint systems” (Srb) and only 36% use the rear seat belt, that is, two out of ten do not use the car seat

Even though there have been fewer fatalities than in 2022, accidents and injuries have increased.

The last Aci-Istat Road Accident Report, published on July 25, 2024, recorded 166.525 accidents with injuries, or 456 per day, 73,3% on urban roads, 21,4% on extra-urban roads and 5,3% on motorways. 15,1% occur due to distracted driving, 12,9% due to failure to give way and 8,4% due to high speed.

Another cause of road accidents is excessive alcohol consumption before driving, most common in the 25-34 age group, as also demonstrated by the contribution of Passi of the ISS, according to which 5 interviewees out of 100 have driven at least once under the influence of alcohol. 

In 2023, there were 3.039 victims, an average of 8 per day. In 79,5% of cases, the victims were men and in 20,5% women.

Perhaps not everyone is aware of the fact that all this leads, in addition to a high loss of life, also to social costs equal to 18 billion euros (1% of GDP), therefore, travelling safely is a plus for life and also for your wallet.

Car seat: new rules from September last edit: 2024-08-31T07:00:00+02:00 da laracalogiuri

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