Minister of Transport and Mining Audley Shaw outlined in yesterday’s sitting of the House of Representatives that the changes which were made to the New Road Traffic Act will come into effect sometime this week.

The Minister also assured that a three-month period for further deliberations and amendments will also be inculcated.

The Government will also embark on a public education campaign on the New Act and regulations.

The noted amendments which fall under the use of child restraint seats in public passenger vehicles for children 0-12 years are no longer mandatory.

Instead, children under one year MUST be restrained by an adult while children ages one to three are allowed to travel without restraint or be restrained by an adult.

Other changes include children 3-6 years old who may travel without restraint, restrained by an adult, or have a lap belt.

Children 6-9 years old may travel without restraint or with a lap belt. Furthermore, children over 9 years old may travel without restraint, with a lap belt or a 3-point seatbelt.

The Minister, however, stressed that only children of a specific size and weight will be permitted to sit in the front seat and that all children transported in public passenger vehicles must be using restraints based on their size and weight.