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Car Safety Seats for Children
July 8, 2025
An unrestrained child can be killed in an impact at speeds as low as 5mph. If properly restrained, a child is 3 times less likely to sustain a head injury in a collision than an unrestrained child.
In a collision at 30mph, an unrestrained child would hit the front seat - and anyone in it - with a force of between 30 and 60 times their own body weight.
The law states that:
children under 3 years must use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles) - there is only one exception: a child under 3 may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available
rear-facing baby seats must not be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically
in vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children 3 years to 135cm (approximately 4 foot 5 inches) in height or age 12 (whichever comes first) must use the appropriate child restraint
Three exceptions allow these children to travel in the rear and use an adult seat belt:
in a taxi - if the right child restraint is not available
for a short distance in unexpected necessity, if the right child restraint is not available
where 2 occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat
We offer a free child car seat check and advice service. We're holding the following events:
Friday 25 July 2025
Chesterfield, Smyths Toys, 10am to 12.30pm, and 1.30pm to 4pm
Smyths Toys are offering 10% off children’s car seats on the day of the event.
Friday 15 August 2025
Derby, Smyths Toys, Kingsway, from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm
Buying and fitting a car safety seat for a child
When travelling in a car, children should wear a suitable restraint for their size and age.
In an accident an unrestrained child in the back seat of a car can catapult between the driver and front seat passenger, and be thrown through the windscreen. They could also injure other passengers.
Never use a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if your car has a passenger airbag.
Always use the restraints and, as your child grows older, make sure that the first thing they do when they get in the car is to put on their restraint.
If the car is involved in an accident, replace the seat immediately.
Buying a car seat
Child restraints are expensive and you should choose with care. Never rush into a decision about buying the seat.
Never buy a second hand car seat:
the seat could have been involved in an accident
important safety components may be missing
the seat may not fit correctly in your car
the manufacturers fitting instructions may be missing
Operation Cruiser
May 14, 2025
Officers will be out in force across the Peak District over the coming months targeting dangerous motorcycle riders.
Derbyshire is beloved by riders and the county welcomes thousands of bikers each year, however, that has also led to a significant number of fatal collisions.
Fifteen riders lost their lives in collisions in the county last year – with five dying in a single weekend in Buxton in August 2024.
We saw a serious collision, involving no other vehicles, that left a motorcyclist in a critical condition, just a few weeks ago.
A dedicated policing operation has been launched in the Peak District to target dangerous riding and help keep people safe.
A combination of Roads Policing Unit officers and local officers have been out on the roads – as well as in the air with the use of drones – to speak with motorcyclists about how to keep safe and deal with dangerous riders that are seen.
Inspector Craig McAughtrie, who leads the Roads Policing Unit, said: “There are few better places to spend a day on a motorcycle than Derbyshire, and we want everyone to be able to return again and again to our county and enjoy our roads.
“However, on a far too regular basis we are having to speak to families and deliver the news that nobody wants to hear.
“Any rider who wants to respect the roads, and behave in a sensible and legal way, will be welcomed with open arms.
“But those who do not obey the rules of the road will find themselves with some potentially significant fines, points on their licence, or potentially even jail time.
“Officers will be out in marked and unmarked vehicles, the speed enforcement van will also be across the Peaks, and drones will also be used to capture footage of illegal riding in order to prosecute those responsible.”
Over the last few weekends more than 50 riders were advised about their speeds by officers – with more than 20 being prosecuted due to the manner of their riding.
Inspector McAughtrie said: “We know that speed is a significant factor in many of our serious and fatal collisions and we make no apologies for targeting those who ride in a dangerously fast manner.
“With fair weather predicted for the coming weeks the hope is that we see lots of bikers having a great time and enjoying the roads in a safe way – and heading home safely at the end of the day.”
UpRight
March 12, 2025
UpRight is an award-winning Motorbike Road Safety campaign run by Derbyshire Police Officers, and Police Volunteers. This campaign aims to encourage bikers to invest in themselves to become safer and better protected riders by taking part in advanced rider training and wearing the correct equipment as well as making them aware of the advances in motorcycle safety technology.
UpRight attend and run events throughout Derbyshire where they speak to bikers regarding training and safety, event dates and locations can be seen below. Further details regarding the events can be found on the UpRight Facebook page.
