MINIBUSES used for carrying children must be fitted with seat belts throughout the vehicle under new legislation which came into force on Monday.

The new regulations stipulate that minibuses and coaches carrying three or more children between the ages of three and 16, on trips organised for children, must be fitted with at least a lap strap for each child. This includes trips to and from school. The legislation applies to all minibuses and coaches registered from October 1, 1988.

The legislation has received a cautious welcome from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. It supports the move, but is concerned that the legislation does not go far enough. It wants the belts to be checked as part of the MoT test, for a date to be set for the compulsory wearing of the belts and for adult escorts to travel with children on minibuses to make sure they wear the belts correctly.