6 people in a 5 seat vehicle

bobbyp_3

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on the following. I'm intending on going to France in August for a few days, the dilemma I have is that in the car there will be 2 adults and 4 children between the ages of 10 & 3. The car is a Ford Focus estate (5 seats and 5 seat belts). I am unsure if this legal in the UK and/or France, can anyone advise please.

Just a point of note, it is easy to place a seat belt around 1 adult and 1 child or 2 children if need be.

Lastly, if it were illegal what are the likely penalties should I be pulled over?

Thanks in advance.

shazrobo

hi, it would not be legal, sorry to say.
as it is a 5 seater vehicle, then you are only allowed to carry 5 people, therefore if pulled over you could be treat in the same way those are that are caught drivin with no insurance, i certainly would not want to risk this, or my families safety for that matter

DrFluffy

I'd be more worried about the consequences of having an accident, not of getting caught... Especially with a car full of children!

Seat belts are designed to support one person...

DrFluffy

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/seatbelts.htm

newlywed

Don't forget about the booster seats/child seats law in the UK too, if the kids are young.

vikingaero

If you put a belt around 1 adult and 1 child, the adult will crush the body and spine of the child in a serious crash. Also the adult is likely to headbutt the child with fatal consequences. Can you borrow or hire a 6/7 seat MPV?

Sagaris

Rules in France:

France

Child Restraints
Children are prohibited from travelling in the front seat until aged 10 years old.

Children under 10 years of age must be seated in the rear and use a seatbelt or an approved child seat. However, a very young child in an approved rear-facing safety seat can be placed in the front seat.

Children seated in the front seat must be seated in a child restraint appropriate to their weight and age.

From the RoSPA child car seats website (www.childcarseats.org)

southernscouser

bobbyp wrote: »

I am unsure if this legal in the UK and/or France, can anyone advise please.

I'm sorry but is this some sort of wind up?

How the hell were you even issued a driving license if you don't know this? :rolleyes:

Crabman

If you were pulled over you'd be in serious trouble, either side of the channel. Also don't expect them to be too happy with a long road trip all squashed up in the back.

Click the Motoring A-Z in my signature and follow the link to the Highway Code Online - assuming you can't find your hard copy, you do have a copy? Yeah, course you do

bobbyp_3

Thanks for all the friendly and positive replies, it's just a shame that some prat takes asking for info as an opportunity to demonstrate a holier than though right to flame others.

The whole point of asking the question was to find out if it is legal or not, as I have now established that it is illegal I will not be doing it and will hire an appropriate vehicle.

Thanks again to all the positive contributors.

southernscouser

bobbyp wrote: »

Thanks for all the friendly and positive replies, it's just a shame that some prat takes asking for info as an opportunity to demonstrate a holier than though right to flame others.

The whole point of asking the question was to find out if it is legal or not, as I have now established that it is illegal I will not be doing it and will hire an appropriate vehicle.

Thanks again to all the positive contributors.

Oooh a personal insult. How privelaged I am.

My question is, how can you not know it's illegal?