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Date Published: 17/07/2024

Baby on board: New child seat rules introduced in Spain

The regulations will come into force across Spain this September

Family road trips are a cherished pastime, but they also come with the crucial responsibility of ensuring the safety of little ones. This September, Spain is introducing updated regulations for child restraint systems, aiming to further protect children during car journeys.

The new regulation will come into force on 1 September 2024, putting an end to the European R44 regulation and welcoming a new Child Restraint System (CRS) through regulation R129.

“A car seat reduces deaths by 75 to 80% and injuries by 90% in the event of an accident,” Joan Forrellad, Secretary General of the Spanish Alliance for Child Road Safety (AESVi), explains.

Differences between R44 and R129

Also known as the i-Size, one of the biggest changes to come with the new R129 regulation is that child seats will be selected according to the height of the child, rather than the weight.

Additionally, R129 incorporates advanced dummies or test dolls to obtain approval, enhancing the accuracy of safety assessments.

Rear-facing seats: An added layer of protection

While this is not a new rule, the expert took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of placing children in a rear-facing position, ideally until they are 15 months old.

Choosing the right seat for your child

Not all child car seats are created equal. Seats approved under the R129 standard incorporate energy-absorbing elements, making them safer and more comfortable during accidents, including violent crashes and side impacts.

The R129 seats also offer enhanced safety for newborns, with more advanced testing ensuring their protection from the very first journey.

The good news is that despite the technical advancements, the prices of child restraint systems haven’t gone up too much. Depending on the features you require, these seats typically range from 50 to 700 euros. With the new regulations, measures are being discussed to make purchasing these essential products more accessible, such as reducing VAT.

Is it mandatory to buy a new car seat?

Even though the regulations will come into force next September, it is important to note that it will not be necessary to buy another one immediately. The regulation prohibits the sale of old seats approved under the R44 standard. However, those who already have them can continue to use them as they are still valid, legal and safe for the little ones.

Fines and penalties

Although it is not necessary to buy a new child seat, you should be careful if you do not want to be fined for breaking the regulations. If, after the September deadline, you choose to sell a second-hand R44 car seat, you could get in serious trouble with the Ministry of Consumption.

You should also check that any new seat you buy is approved. Visiting a specialist sales centre and checking that the product includes a sticker indicating the brand, type of vehicle, group to which it belongs or the place where it was certified can help you to check the validity of the seat.

Carrying out this pre-purchase inspection is crucial both for the safety of the child and for your wallet.

“The offence of not using an approved seat or not using the CRS if we are carrying a child under 135cm in Spain entails a fine of 200 euros and the loss of 4 points from the driving licence,” the expert points out.

Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates

Image: DGT

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