Caravan Insurance

Drivers ferrying children about could soon face spot fines of £30 if their cars are not equipped with certain safety devices such as child seats and booster cushions.

The government wants to bring in a raft of new regulations as early as September this year, singing the UK up to a European Directive on the matter.

The main emphasis is on seatbelts being replaced with restraints better suited to small children. It is hoped will lead to fewer road injuries.

Children who are over the age of the three, but still shorter than 4ft 5in, would need to use a booster seat or equivalent regardless of their age.

This means that children as old as 11 could feasibly be forced to use alternatives to adult seat belts. The current law only covers children under three.

Taxis would be exempt, but the proposed rules also call for a crackdown on those driving with too many people in the rear seats. Only as many people as seat belts provided will be permitted.

Road safety minister, Stephen Ladyman, said: "Small children need the protection that baby seats and child seats are designed to provide."

With around 2,000 under-10s involved in serious car accidents every year, the importance of good, comprehensive cheap car insurance cannot be stressed enough.