Buying a car is a huge step, yet for many of the people who have sought car finance to purchase one of the new ‘56’ registration plate vehicles in the last few days fines of up to £500 could be imposed if they flout child safety seat laws.

The fines could come due to widespread ignorance over car seat laws, and proposed changes in the law starting this month. According to new research by Churchill Insurance, two-thirds of UK drivers thought that children over the age of seven are no longer legally required to sit in safety seats.

The law is due a change, with new legislation due for introduction on September 16th this month stipulating that all children up to the age of 12 must sit in child safety seats.

A spokesman for Churchill Car Insurance, Frances Browning, said: Our research highlights a worrying lack of awareness around child safety in cars . However, we hope that the new law will mean that parents become more conscious about safety in the car. Indeed, a recent Mintel report says: ‘Developments in car seats and boosters for older children will continue to emphasise the safety features, and parents will feel both morally and legally obliged to make sure that the seat is actually fitted correctly.

Mr Browning concluded: Anything that makes travelling in cars safer for children can only be a good thing.

Car safety seats are an additional cost of motoring for parents, added to a long list that includes car finance (be it personal loans, hire purchase, personal contract purchase), car insurance, running costs, MOTs and road tax .