Thousands of parents fined for not strapping children in cars – and it’s set to spike this spring
More than 11,000 UK drivers have been fined since 2022 for failing to properly secure children in their cars – and offences peak every spring and summer.
If you’re heading out on a family road trip or doing the school run, now’s the time to double-check your car seat setup.
New figures show that fines for not securing children correctly in vehicles skyrocket between April and August each year – and with penalties of up to £500, it’s not just safety at stake.
An investigation by Select Car Leasing has revealed more than 11,000 fines have been handed out to UK motorists since 2022 for not making sure children under 14 are safely buckled in or using the correct car seat.
Fines are steep – and peak in warmer months
In 2023 alone, 3,808 drivers were fined, with a similar number recorded in 2022 and 2024. The issue? The numbers jump significantly as the weather warms up. Between April and August, prosecutions rise by up to 20%.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, said, “The spring and summer peak in seatbelt and car seat-related motoring prosecutions should make all parents sit up and take notice as we head into the warmer months of the year.
It’s unclear why the offences spike as the mercury rises, but it’s likely a combination of things; more journeys being made with children during the holiday period, seasonal police clamp-downs, and youngsters perhaps feeling uncomfortable wearing a seatbelt when the temperature rises.
The penalty for not securing a child correctly is a £100 fine, rising to £500 if contested in court. And it’s not just about avoiding a fine.
“A proper car seat and/or seatbelt can be the difference between life and death in the event of an accident,” Conway warns.
The UK’s worst areas for car seat offences
Over the past three years, these regions topped the list for the most fines:
- London – 3,112 fines since 2022
- West Yorkshire – 1,490 fines
- Greater Manchester – 1,018 fines
- Thames Valley – 598 fines
- Essex – 429 fines
Notably, Greater Manchester saw a huge increase, from just 195 fines in 2022 to 428 in 2024.
What the law says – and what you need to know
Since 2006, UK law requires all children under 14 to be properly secured in a vehicle. Here’s a quick guide to current rules:
- Children must use a car seat until they’re 12 or 135cm tall – whichever comes first
- Babies (0–13kg): Rear-facing baby carrier or seat with harness
- Toddlers (9–18kg): Rear or forward-facing seat with harness or safety shield
- Older children (15–36kg): Booster seat using a seat belt, harness or safety shield
- Height-based seats: Rear-facing until at least 15 months
While the law currently doesn’t require children to stay rear-facing beyond 15 months, many experts – and campaigning parents – recommend rear-facing until age 4 for better protection.
What happens if you’re caught?
Unlike other motoring offences, failing to properly secure a child doesn’t result in points on your licence – yet. But changes may be on the horizon. The AA Charitable Trust has called for tougher rules, suggesting six penalty points for new drivers who fail to ensure seatbelt use.
Some drivers may be offered an online safety course in place of a fine, depending on the offence and police discretion.
Quick checklist for safer travels:
- Is your child in the correct size and type of car seat for their age and weight?
- Have you checked the seat is correctly fitted and not twisted?
- Is your little one properly buckled in before every journey – even short ones?
With family day trips, holidays, and sunny school runs around the corner, now’s the perfect time to review your car safety setup – before peak fine season begins.
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.