© AVSA 2011-2023 Version 19.1.07 20/01/2023
Changes of children seating in cars
Children not allowed in front seat
of cars from October 1 2015
CHILDREN are required by law to travel in the back seats of cars from this
Thursday, October 1 2015, according to a new traffic regulation.
Youngsters of 4'6” (1.36m) or less in height must not travel in the front seat, and
should be in booster seats or similar suitable for their age, height and weight.
Three exceptions apply – where the vehicle does not have back seats; where all
back seats are occupied by children of identical characteristics, and where child
restraint or seating systems cannot physically be installed because they would not
fit.
As well as being part of a European Union directive on passenger safety, the new
regulation responds to scientific research carried out in Spain showing that
children's safety is severely compromised by travelling in the front of a car.
Child restraint or booster seat systems reduce crash deaths by 75%, and cut the
risk of serious injuries by 90%.
Spain's traffic department even recommends using booster seats and remaining in
the back of the car until the child is at least 4'11” (1.5m) in height, even though
many adults are no taller than this.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) strongly recommends not carrying children
on laps, nor using the same seatbelt to protect a child and an adult at once,
making sure baby and toddler seats are properly fitted and that the child's head
does not go over the top of the back of the seat.
Where a child has to travel in the front as a result of one of the three legal
exceptions cited, restraint seats should always be facing the rear of the car if the
airbag has been deactivated.