DRIVERS in the Vale are being urged to make sure their children belt up as strict new laws come into force in September.

Parents are being reminded by Worcestershire County Council to make sure they are well prepared for the new child seatbelt laws set to come into force on Friday, September 1.

Children under the age of three must be in a baby or child seat appropriate to their weight and three to 11-year-olds, who are under 135cm tall, must be in a booster seat. Children aged 12 and over 135cm tall must be strapped in with an adult seatbelt.

Rear facing baby seats should not be used in front seats unless an airbag has been deactivated, under tougher laws, which will replace existing safety advice that was not legally binding.

Alison Cornelius, trading standards advice and education manager, said: "These new laws will make it compulsory for children to always be strapped in with appropriate restraints and safety belts in cars.

"Most parents put very small children in baby seats, but as their children get older, they do not always make sure they are safely belted in.

"We are keen to make sure Worcestershire residents understand the new laws and are ready to put them into practice when they arrive."

Roger Woodward, the county council's road safety officer, said: "Even in a low-speed crash, anyone not wearing a seatbelt could injure, or even kill, themselves and anyone else in the car.

"It's vital parents think twice about safety of their children before getting behind the wheel."

The county council will also be talking to residents about the new laws at an open day at Evesham Fire Station in Merstow Green on Saturday, August 12.