MOSCOW, July 3 (RAPSI) – Russian government has introduced changes to the Road Rules and Regulations and forbidden leaving children of preschool age in parked cars without oversight of adults, the document published on the government’s official website reads on Monday.

Amendment also establish that children may be transported in vehicles equipped with seat belts only if the belts or specialized equipment are used.

Previous regulations stated that a child may be restrained by using specialized equipment or other tools assisting with restraining a child by seat belts. However, research showed that such tools are ineffective, do not ensure safety and may actually worsen condition of a child during a car accident.

New changes state that the use of specialized equipment for children under age of 7 is compulsory and that for children of 7-11 age range it is optional to either use such equipment or seat belts.