If you’re planning a road trip in Prague with your little ones, you must know the car seat laws in Prague. It is always better to be aware of the required size of car seats, types of car seats allowed, and the age limitations for children.
Child Seat Requirements
According to the car seat laws in Prague, children under the age of 12 years or less than 140 cm in height must use a child seat. The child seat must also meet the European safety standards. Therefore, choose a car seat with a label that indicates it meets the European safety standards R44 or R129.
It is also important to choose a car seat with the correct size for your child’s height and weight. If the car seat is too small, it will not offer adequate protection, and if it is too big, the child may slide out of it in the case of an accident.
Child Seat Positioning
Another important car seat law in Prague is the position of the child seat. Children under the age of three years should sit in the back seat, but if you only have a front seat in your car, a rear-facing car seat should be used, and the passenger airbag must be switched off.
In contrast, children aged four to twelve years should be seated on the back seat, but they can use a forward-facing car seat. It’s also recommended to use the three-point seat belt to hold the child and the car seat in place.
Car Seat Type
In Prague, two types of car seats are permitted for children. They include the rear-facing car seat and the forward-facing car seat. Rear-facing car seats are suitable for children under the weight of 13 kg and under the age of 15 months. On the other hand, forward-facing car seats are suitable for children between 9 to 18 kg or 9 months to 4 years.
Penalties and fines
If you’re caught not complying with the car seat laws in Prague, you may be fined up to CZK 2000. The amount of the fine may increase if you have more than one child in the car without a child seat or if the seat isn’t positioned correctly.
In some severe cases, you may also lose your driving license. Therefore, it’s always better to ensure that your child has a properly fitted and appropriate car seat.
Conclusion
Car seat laws in Prague are designed to protect the lives of children while traveling in a car. It’s essential to follow these laws to safeguard your child’s life and avoid any penalties and fines. Always remember to choose a car seat that meets the European safety standards, the correct size for your child, and correctly positioned in the vehicle. Finally, drive carefully to keep your child safe and secure.
