We all know that the use of seat belts and child safety restraints are essential safety devices which have become apart of our everyday motoring routine. Wearing a seat belt and making sure any child is safely strapped into an appropriate restraints is now second nature to a overwhelming majority of drivers.

The law governing seat belts and child safety restraints however isn't as straightforward as you may think and given the fact that failure to comply with the law can result in a fine of up to £500 and three points on your driving licence.

The simplest part of the law states that a driver must wear a seat belt while driving if one is available. Of course there are exemptions. A driver doesn't have to wear a seat belt while reversing, delivery drivers conducting a journey of less than fifty meters are also exempt as are people suffering from certain medical conditions and if no seat belts are fitted then no offense is committed.

A private car driver is also responsible for ensuring all passengers under the age of fourteen wear a seat belt. Any passenger over the age of fourteen must take responsibility for themselves.

A child under the age of three cannot legally front of rear of a vehicle unless restrained by an approved child safety restraint that is valid for their age or weight. The one exception being if traveling in a taxi that doesn't have such a restraint fitted.

Once a child reaches the age of three the law becomes more complex. Between three and twelve years of age or 135 cm in height the a child cannot travel in the front passenger seat without the appropriate child restraint. They can however travel in the rear without a restraint if safety belts are not fitted. If safety belts are fitted then the correct restraints must be used. Exceptions to the rear seat regulation allows travel by children aged three to twelve years under 135cm using the adult safety belt without the child restraint if it is for a short distance of unexpected necessity and the restraint is not available, or the use of two other occupied child restraints prevent the use of a third or if the rear is a taxi.

Once a child has reached twelve years in age or is over 135cm in height they can travel in the front or rear seat using an adult safety belt if one is fitted. Failure to use a seatbelt results in punishment of the driver. Children over 135cm or twelve years of age can travel unrestrained in either the front or rear of a vehicle if no safety belts are fitted.