POLICE in Herts will clamp down on drivers not using new car seat laws when children are passengers in vehicles. Insp Keith Tilley, of the strategic road policing unit, warned that police support the new legislation and will act to enforce the law. He

POLICE in Herts will clamp down on drivers not using new car seat laws when children are passengers in vehicles.

Insp Keith Tilley, of the strategic road policing unit, warned that police support the new legislation and will act to enforce the law.

He said the police action was part of the constabulary's work in reducing road accident casualties.

"It is vital that children travelling in vehicles are safe," he said. "Our aim is to reduce the number of people killed or injured."

He added that motorists breaking the law should not be surprised when they end up receiving a fixed penalty ticket.

The new law means that all children up to 4ft 5in will have to use a child seat, a booster seat or a booster cushion when travelling.

It will no longer be legal for children under this height to use an adult seat-belt on its own.

County councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs, said: "It's important that parents are ready for this new law and have the correct restraints to enable every child to travel safely."

He continued: "Past seat-belt checks carried out by the county's road safety team have found a lot of children wearing seat-belts under their arms or behind their backs.

"This isn't a safe way for children to travel and in a collision a seat-belt worn in this way would provide little protection."

The new legislation will be introduced on September 18.