Govt enforces mandatory child safety seats in private cars from Nov 1

The government issued a reminder on Friday that all child passengers in private and cross-boundary cars must use child restraining devices starting November 1 to boost safety, with drivers facing fines up to HK$2,000 for violations.

The new rule requires children under eight years old who are shorter than 1.35 meters to sit in a child restraining device, such as a safety seat, regardless of whether they are in the front or rear seat. 

Older children or those at least 1.35 meters tall must either use such a device or buckle up with an adult seat belt.

Police officers can hand out fixed penalty notices of HK$230 to non-compliant drivers, while more severe breaches could lead to court proceedings and the maximum fine.

When selecting a child restraining device, buyers should focus primarily on the product's suitability for a child's height and weight. 

They also need to check for labels showing adherence to established national or international standards and adhere strictly to the manufacturer's installation instructions.

For any questions, consumers can reach out to makers or sellers to confirm the item meets legal standards. 

Beyond traditional child safety seats, options like seat belt adjusters, wearable restraint vests and foldable boosters qualify for use, though these lack side padding and back support, making them less effective against side-impact crashes compared to full seats.

Authorities have ramped up awareness campaigns since February, with the Transport Department teaming up with police, education officials, information services, broadcasters, road safety groups and consumer advocates. 

These efforts include online resources, graphics, videos, media coverage, social posts, parent-focused sites, electronic bulletins and posters at traffic signals throughout the city. 

The department also urged parents to buy devices ahead of time, issuing reminders right after Easter, at summer children's product fairs and before the school year began.