Children must use a child seat when travelling by car even on the shortest trips, regardless of the parents’ opinions. The Finnish Road Safety Council is participating in the police's child seat usage surveillance in September all around the country. The police will monitor the use of seat belts and child safety seats from 16 to 20 September 2024.
Children should not ride in your lap
The safest place for a child in the car is in a child seat in the rear seat with their back to the direction of travel, even on short trips. 9% of the respondents to the Finnish Road Safety Council's survey felt that it’s safe for a small child to not use a child seat if the trip is short.*
"Even on a short trip it’s possible that you have to brake suddenly or get into an accident – it is not as if they let you know one is going to happen. Legally, children must use a child seat when travelling by car until they are 135 cm tall," says Chief Superintendent Tuomo Katajisto from the National Police Board.
According to Katajisto, there is a prohibited and particularly dangerous way that used to be somewhat common, to have the child sit in the parent's lap, which has fortunately become rare. There are still shortcomings in the use of safety devices.
Child safety seat should be used until 150 cm tall
The Finnish Road Safety Council recommends that the child be seated in a rearward-facing safety device for as long as possible, at least up to the age of four. Children’s heads are heavy and their necks are sensitive, and rearward-facing seats provide the best support in the event of a collision. Bent legs are not detrimental to children. It is not enough reason to turn the child seat facing forward too early.
After the infant carrier, the child starts using a child safety seat. The safest thing is to use the child safety seat until the child is 150 cm tall. The child safety seat is the safest choice, as the car seat belt is positioned at the correct height for the child and also protects the sides in the event of an accident.
The parents are responsible for the safety of their child.
When parents do not give their child a choice, the child gets used to the seat, and you don't have to have a discussion about it every time.
"The parent is the person who decides to transport their child in a legal way. It is also the parent who is responsible for their child’s safety, which is why they should not give way on using the child seat,” reminds Ari-Pekka Elovaara, Contact Manager at the Finnish Road Safety Council, giving a hint to parents with tantrum-throwing children:
"You can tell the child that it’s against the law to not use the child seat. Any police officer could give them a fine if they break the law.”
Police to control the use of seat belts and child seats
Failure to wear safety belts will generally land an adult a 70 euro penalty. If the parent or driver fails to use a child safety device, according to Katajisto, it is considered an endangerment of road safety, as it causes a hazard for another person, who in that case would be the child.
The Road Safety Council is participating in the police’s surveillance of child seat usage in September and will help with guidance and tips on how to transport children safely.
Control events are held all over Finland:
- Thu 12 Sept Sulkava and Juva
- Mon 16 Sept Kirkkonummi
- Tue 17 Sept Rovaniemi
- Tue 17 Sept Tampere
- Wed 18 Sept Iisalmi
- Fri 20 Sept Lahti
- Fri 20 Sept Oulu
