Bench seat in E Class estate

[srowe]

As many will know the law is changing soon regarding child car seats http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm I was wondering if the rear-facing seats in my E320 conform to E 44.03 and are therefore exempt? I can't see any label with this marking, anyone got any ideas?

 

[SimonsMerc]

Good question. Our Andrew is three and a half, and he rides in the bench seat with a booster at the moment (although he has ridden without). This URL:

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars/e-class-t/betriebsanleitung/vertiefen/N11ECD.html

Seems to imply that you're meant to use a child seat on the folding bench seat from 9kg to 18kg, or 8 months to 4 years (and it also specifically says not to use a rearward-facing child restraint system). Then from 15kg to 36kg (3.5 to 12 years) it says "No child seat restraint system necessary". This seems to imply that it is certified (although it doesn't explicitly say it).

Would be great if someone else had a better answer!

-simon

 

[srowe]

Having just read the manual (hey, I'm a software engineer, I don't do manuals) it says (p. 64)

The folding bench seat provides seating space for two persons up to 150 cm (5 feet) tall, In the event of an accident, taller people are at risk of sustaining injuries.

Children under 150 cm tall and under 12 years of age require an appropriate restraint system for protection in an accident.

so that implies you do need a booster seat for them

 

[SimonsMerc]

seating space for two persons up to 150 cm (5 feet) tall

Children under 150 cm tall and under 12 years of age require an appropriate restraint system

Hrm. So the seating is for persons up to 150cm, but any child under 150cm needs to use a booster. Children need to be under 150cm tall and under 12 years of age and use a booster, but if they're over 150cm then they can't use the seats at all and if they're under 150cm but over 12 years old then they can sit there without a booster.

Couldn't they just say that all children (under 12s) who can use the seat must use a booster?

Incidentally, we don't necessarily have to interpret the manual as saying "booster" where it doesn't. I think that the "appropriate restraint system" in the case of a larger child is a seat belt ;-)

-simon

 

[ShinyF1]

I've spoken to DCUK who helpfully advise me that

'.......the seats are designed for children over 3yrs, under 150cms and 50kg......'

and in response to a direct question,

'....are safe for a 5yr old and a 7yr old......'

I plan to continue using the boot bench seats but use a shoulder belt adjuster for my youngest...unless anyone thinks this is unwise.

 

[glojo]

Surely we should be saying what's best for my child?? These laws should not be necessary and surely they are there for the protection of the child?

Makes me laugh when I see taxi drivers not wearing seat belts because they 'are exempt'!!

John

 

[Merc808]

Taxi Drivers

"Makes me laugh when I see taxi drivers not wearing seat belts because they 'are exempt'!! "

This also makes me laugh. Why don't they wear them ? It is not as if a taxi driver ever jumps out to open the door or even knocks on your house door, they just blow the horn when they arrive, some service eh !!

 

[Merc808]

Taxi Drivers

"Makes me laugh when I see taxi drivers not wearing seat belts because they 'are exempt'!! "

This also makes me laugh. Why don't they wear them ? It is not as if a taxi driver ever jumps out to open the door or even knocks on your house door, they just blow the horn when they arrive, some service eh !! Oh yes and don't forget my tip!!!!!!

 

[Merc808]

Taxi Drivers

"Makes me laugh when I see taxi drivers not wearing seat belts because they 'are exempt'!! "

This also makes me laugh. Why don't they wear them ? It is not as if a taxi driver ever jumps out to open the door or even knocks on your house door, they just blow the horn when they arrive, some service eh !! Oh yes and don't forget my tip!!!!!!

 

[BTB 500]

Surely we should be saying what's best for my child??

Yup. DC CAC have advised that because the rear child seats on my R129 don't comply with the new standards, I now need to use booster cushions on them. Which is pretty bizarre considering they only have lap belts, which already sit correctly across the kids' pelvises

 

[Doodle]

Perhaps another case of the government opening their trap without having fully thought through what they're saying?

 

[glojo]

Perhaps another case of the government opening their trap without having fully thought through what they're saying?

I know what you mean. A woman was on the local radio complaining about this nanny state restricting her from letting her five year old child from sitting on the side facing rear seats in her old landrover!!

John

 

[BTB 500]

The female 'couch' presenter on ITV this morning said she had no idea the law was changing, she has 2 small kids and she hadn't been able to get any booster cushions because everywhere was sold out. So presumably she's been driving them around with just the adult seatbelts so far ...