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Using a car seat in a van

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  • 31-03-2015 4:57pm
    #1
    calendarqueen
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭


    Does anyone know anything about using a baby's car seat in a commercial van.

    The car seat is the rear-facing one for a small baby and we are hoping to use it in the middle seat of a van. The van does not have air bags, but only has a lap belt.

    The instructions on the car seat say that it must be a 3-point harness, but I think I can get a belt adapter in Halfords to conver the lap-belt.

    Has anyone any experience of this and whether it works or not?

    I've also posted in the motoring section, but might have better luck here!


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    #2
    January
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,865 ✭✭✭✭January


    Once it is installed properly (with a 3 point seat belt, I'm not sure if converters would be safe enough?) and is not beside an airbag it will be fine.


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    #3
    lonestargirl
    Registered Users Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭lonestargirl


    I don't see how you could convert a lap belt. Where would the upper anchor be? Do the outside seats have 3-point harnesses? Could the passenger sit in the middle and the baby seat on the outside?


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    #4
    pwurple
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    We have a commercial. Baby seat we put in the seat by the window.


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    #5
    calendarqueen
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭calendarqueen


    Ok, thanks all. Think we are just going to put seat in the main passenger seat rather than in the middle.


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    #6
    Grandadsbear
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 76 ✭✭Grandadsbear


    My understanding is once the baby/child is in the appropriate seat for weight and height etc then there is no problem. (I'd agree with pwurple, I'd put them by the window)

    http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Road%20Safety/Safety%20for%20kids/Child%20Safety%20in%20Cars%20English.pdf

    Not sure how true this is ... but I was told of someone that was pulled over for having a child in the car seat in a commerical van, he was dropping the child to child minder on his way to work, and was warned that the tax and insurance was commerical and not for domestic/pleasure??? Probably just a Garda having a bad day????


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    #7
    January
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,865 ✭✭✭✭January


    Well, that could be quite true,it's a question for the insurance company, and one I'd definitely be asking.


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    #8
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    What about using a forward facing seat, 3yr old child, in the front seat of car? Is this legal safe?


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    #9
    ProfessorPlum
    Registered Users Posts: 1,802 ✭✭✭ProfessorPlum


    Questioncar wrote: »
    What about using a forward facing seat, 3yr old child, in the front seat of car? Is this legal safe?

    It would appear to be, so long as they are in an appropriate car seat.

    http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Campaigns/Current-road-safety-campaigns/No-Child-Car-Seat---No-Excuse/How-it-works/

    It is safe and legal for a child of any age to sit in the front passenger seat of a car provided they are using the correct child restraint for their height and weight.


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