One of the main changes affects children under three years of age.

Previously, under-3s did not need to be secured by law when travelling in a vehicle, although the DGT recommended use of a child seat. From 23 July onwards it will be obligatory for under-3s to be secured via a so-called Sistema de Retenci�n Infantil (SRI), a child retention system needs to be adjusted according to the weight of the child.
In addition, it will be obligatory not to install the child seat in front passenger seat if this has an airbag installed.

Children over three years of age or people under 1 metre fifty must also be secured using retention systems or seatbelt mechanisms if they are travelling in the passenger seat or back seats.

A few recommendations
In Spain a large number of children die or suffer irreversible injury due to incorrect use of SRI systems. The DGT, in one of its last reports, indicated that only 3 out of 10 children travelling in Spain followed the correct security recommendations.

Sometimes the main problem for parents is ensuring that children stay in their seats given how quickly they get bored or jumpy. The DGT recommends ensuring that the temperature
in the car is kept in the region of 18-23�C.

In addition, it is advisable that you explain to the child why you are strapping him or her into the child seat and point out how everyone else in the car is also safely strapped in.

When children are strapped into the back seat, you should avoid keeping small objects on the back shelf which may fall and cause damage if you stop suddenly.

Bicycles and motorbikes
The new regulations also refer to trips in motorbikes, which were previously lacking any sort of regulations.

From now on, children under seven can travel on bicycles as long as an adult is driving and the child is strapped into an officially recognised seat.

As for motorbikes, children over 12 may travel in the back seat, but 7 to 12 year olds may only be driven by parents, guardians or a person authorised by the parents. In all cases a helmet is obligatory.

If your child is an adolescent that makes frequent bike trips with his friends, the new regulations require them to wear an officially-recognised helmet. The only exceptions are excessively hot weather or steep climbs, when doctors do not recommend wearing helmets.

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