Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

I have been using my car this weekend prior to its annual MOT tomorrow.
My kids don't mind short journeys squeezed in the back seats. The car has static seat belts for them - which i don't like - but understand that there is no inertia type that will fit?

I was wondering what the law advises on carrying children in the rear of a Porsche? Is it legal?

My children are 7 and 5 years old.

Oh and if anyone is looking for a Porsche car seat - there is a mistake on Ebay right now: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Childs-Porshe-Car-Seat-/250662410143?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Baby_CarSeats_EH&hash=item3a5ca4d79f

Don't do sprogs but static belts are as safe if not safer than inertials. Look at race car type harnesses!
I belive the height of the rug-rats is what dictates what they need to wear & sit on.

A very good question - and one I've pondered for a long time. Before my 924 went into retirement my son (then one) sat in a seat not dissimilar in concept to the one shown on your link (a Recaro "First" in my case) secured using a static belt.
Now it's coming out of retirement (my eldest is now nearly 4) I guess he will sit in the same seat but without the "front bolster" - actually I'm considering putting it in the front seat and getting something similar again for his little brother.

Regarding the static vs inertia reel - I would love to fit Inertia reels for comfort reasons. But like you said I don't think they are available... what did the 968 have? and if it had inertia belts are the Seatbelt mounts the same?

As I understand the law dictates that seatbelts must be worn if they are fitted in the car when new.
My 1982 car doesn't have rear seat belts so not sure where that leaves me when our babies arrives later this year.

7 & 5 year olds should be a good fit in the back of a 944. You may require a thin booster seat to comply with the law which wasn't written for 2+2's I've just got a booster seat from ebay which is cheap & made of polystyrene. It's quite easy to reshape it to fit the curve of the rear seat.
New baby car seats are available from OPC that fit the rear of a 944. Quite reasonably priced as well. Sure they will advice you. I wouldn't want to carry children in any car without belts. But it must be quite easy to fit them. Surely you can get the parts you need from the breakers.

I have belts in the back the static type and we have all agreed that these are safe.
Its just the legality of if my children need some sort of booster seat to sit in the back or not?

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htm

Should make it clear - problem is as J.J says the rules aren't written for 2+2's so according to the letter of the law you have to use a booster/child seat...

Although the rear seats are small they ARE designed to fit an adult - which means that the belt anchorages and belt routings are not necessarily in the correct position for a child. The idea of the booster is to ensure that the lap portion of the belt runs across the occupants thighs (and not around the waist) and the cross belt runs over the shoulder (and not around the neck).

The law says that all children up to 135cm tall (around 4'5"), or the age of 12, whichever comes first, in the front or rear seats in cars, must travel in the correct child restraint for their weight with very few exceptions.

In cases of unexpected necessity over a short distance. If the correct child restraint is not available then, in the rear seat only, a child of 3 years or more must use an adult belt. This exemption does not apply to children under 3 years and does not cover regular school runs or other journeys that are planned in advance.

I got this off the DVLA web site, so must be true.

If they're under 4'5" then they need booster seats, and I would even if there wasn't a law as the belts go right across there necks as the post fixing doesn't move down like modern cars have. My youngest is 7 and is 4'2" so has a small polystyrene booster seat that sits just snug in the back seat and raises her up so the belt comes across her chest and she can also see out the window we are in the process of dangling her upside down for 10 mins a day to try and stretch her out the extra 3"
.http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/children/childincar?page=Overview
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(We're not really before you all write in and complain )

Andy

Arrrrgh didn't type quick enough

Nice one guys - that explains it.

Neither did I.

P.S. I know this isn't the time or place but, someone stole all my smilies???? Or you would have got a thumbs up.

My 86 'S' has inertial rear seatbelts.

Howard

My '88 944S has inertia belts as well

My 91 S2 has inertia rear belts as well.