Rules and recommendations – what is what?

The EU has common traffic rules which are required to follow the law, but when it comes to recommendations, it is not as black or white. We decided to find out what’s what, and tell about things that you as a parent should know – everything so your child will be able to follow along in your car journeys and travel with the best possible safety andThe European Union has common traffic regulations that must be followed by law. In addition to these legal requirements, there are also recommendations that help parents make informed decisions about child safety in the car. This guide explains the difference between legal requirements and best practice recommendations, helping you make the right choice for your child comfort.

What does the law say?

  • The first thing that comes under the law is that if there is a place with a seat belt, everyone who travels by car or truck sitting in that place must use the belt.
  • Children who are shorter than 135 centimeters must use the baby car seat, rear-facing car seat, booster seat, booster cushion or other special safety equipment for children.
  • Children who are shorter than 135 centimeters (or younger than three years) may not travel in a vehicle without special protection.
  • Many cars are equipped with an airbag on the passenger side. Never place a rear-facing car seat where there is an active airbag. It is extremely important that the airbag is disabled before placement in the front seat.
  • The driver is responsible for all passengers under 15, ensuring that they wear a seat belt or are fastened into a safety seat. It is illegal to drive a vehicle with more passengers than the car is registered for.

What are the recommendations?

In addition to the above rules, there are a variety of tips and recommendations. Here is a summary of the most important things you should know as a parent.

  • An infant should initially travel in an infant car seat. Once the child can sit steadily without support and has outgrown the infant car seat, it is time to move to a rear-facing child car seat suitable for the child’s size and development.
  • Rear-facing travel is widely recommended for young children because of its well-documented safety benefits. Whenever possible, children should remain rear-facing for as long as their child car seat allows. Turning a child forward-facing too early may reduce the level of protection in the event of a collision. Learn more
  • A rear-facing child car seat should never be used in front of an active airbag. In vehicles where the front passenger airbag can be completely deactivated, placing the child in the front passenger seat may offer practical advantages, such as additional legroom and making it easier for the driver to monitor the child when appropriate.
  • Many belt-installed rear-facing child car seats can be used until the child reaches approximately 25 kg. A child has outgrown the seat when the head extends beyond the limits specified by the manufacturer or when the maximum height or weight limit has been reached.
  • Once a child has outgrown their rear-facing child car seat, the next step is typically a booster seat, followed by a booster cushion when appropriate. Many child safety experts recommend using a booster seat or booster cushion until the vehicle seat belt fits correctly, which for many children is around 10–12 years of a