"Buckle up" is the message from the Transport Ministry today, as of midnight, seatbelts and proper child seats are mandatory under law in Bermuda.

Acting TCD director Randy Brangman reminded the public that children up to 80 pounds in weight, require special seats to ensure their safety.

While the first year under the new law is designated a "caution" year - there will be no fine or punishment attached to the offences - Mr. Brangman urged the public to buckle up immediately.

Even at Bermuda's slow speeds, research has shown that proper use of seat belts and child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal or serious injuries in a crash by 40 percent.

Dr. Bente Lundh, a paediatrician and consultant to the Road Safety Council, said parents should start setting an example for their children by buckling up themselves.

But, while many in Bermuda are familiar with infant and toddler seats, Dr. Lundh said booster seats for older children (weighing between 40 and 80 pounds) were equally important.

There are now three categories of child seats required under law, she explained.

Infants under one year of age must ride in an infant-only or convertible seat, in a rear-facing position.

"If your infant reaches 20 pounds before one year of age, you may need to switch to a convertible seat (usually for 20-40 pounds) as most infant seats have a maximum capacity of 20 pounds," she said.

"All infants less than one year of age must ride rear-facing because their neck muscles are not strong enough to withstand a crash if forward facing, regardless of weight."

All children under 12 should be in the back seat, she stressed.

"Many people seem to be in the habit of having their infants in the front seat, thinking they are more accessible," Dr. Lundh said. "But this is not safe from a collision standpoint or from a distraction standpoint."

Dr. Lundh suggested parents look into special mirrors which will allow them to keep an eye on their child, even in a backwards-facing seats in the rear.

Once children are over the age of one and weigh more than 20 pounds, they should ride in a forward-facing car/convertible seat.

Young children who have outgrown their child safety seat but are too small to wear seat belts (usually 40-80 pounds and under four foot nine inches) should ride in belt-positioning booster seats.

This is key for child safety, Mr. Brangman explained, as belts might otherwise cut across a child's neck and could cause injury.

Dr. Lundh said she suspected this would be the most unfamiliar category for parents and many will now have to buy special booster seats.

These seats are available for purchase at Toys N Stuff as of today, according to staff at the store.