Press Release: Road safety: new European rules on seat belt use

The latest European Directive on the compulsory use of seat belts, Directive 2003/20/EC, had to be incorporated into law in the Member States by 9 May 2006. Under previously existing European legislation it had been compulsory to use seat belts in vehicles below 3.5 tonnes fitted with restraints. This obligation had now been extended to all categories of vehicles. The Directive also requires the use of restraint systems specially adapted for children.

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