More than 160 city taxis in Shanghai from different companies, including Dazhong, Qiangsheng, Jinjiang and Haibo, began carrying child seats in a bid to improve the safety of younger passengers, city media reported. The child seats are designed for children aged 9 months to 12 years.

The introduction coincides with the launch at the start of the month of the new Juvenile Protection Law, which requires parents to install car safety seats for children under the age of 4. While the new law does not require taxis to provide the seats, the authorities hope that over time more drivers will carry them.

Chinese media has reported that less than 1 percent of Chinese parents have child seats installed in their cars, while in Western countries more than 90 percent of parents with cars use child seats. In China more than 18,500 children under the age of 14 are killed in traffic accidents each year.

What do Shanghai expats think about the new rules? How does the situation look like in their home countries?

Chloe Labau, from France, account manager

"I think this is a great idea in order to make road traffic in Shanghai a little bit safer for everyone. I can't understand how Chinese parents can put their babies in cars without using child seats, especially with how crazy the Shanghai traffic is. I've noticed that most of the parents either put their children in the front without a safety seat or they just hold on to their kids. But I guess the reason people don't use car seats is due to the lack of proper legislation. Hopefully the new laws will change people's perspectives on car safety.

I have friends in Shanghai with a 2-year-old daughter and as soon as they moved here they bought a baby seat for her. It's easier for them though as they have their private car to drive them around. I realize that for other parents who don't own a car carrying a child seat everywhere with them would be a hassle and I imagine a lot of parents living in Shanghai will welcome the new regulations."

Diana Rosselli, from the US, housewife

"The new regulations are great news for all the parents in Shanghai. Having a child seat in the car will greatly reduce the danger when an accident happens. I'm happy the city authorities are taking more measures to ensure safety on the roads.

We have a child here with us in Shanghai. When we first moved here we didn't want to get a car since it seemed like too much hassle to go through at the time. We walk a lot and use metro as much as we can. When we do take a taxi, we usually hold our son in the back seat.

But now that Shanghai taxis are equipped with child seats, we will be more likely to take more taxis when we travel around the city. Sometimes taxis are the most convenient mode of transport and my husband and I were really happy to hear the news. It gives us great peace of mind."

Will Fisher, from the UK, architect

"I've been always curious how parents can travel safely in China without car seats. In Europe, hardly anybody ever travels without one in the car. There are laws requiring children under a certain age to be properly restrained while riding in a car.

I don't have a child myself but I can see how many parents will be relieved to hear the news. I'm surprised these regulations weren't introduced much earlier. It's about time there are car seats laws.

I would imagine that road safety is gaining more importance in China as more and more people can afford cars and I feel like there is an increased public awareness in this matter. But I still feel like there should be more campaigns to inform people about the importance of having a child seat in the car.

Children's safety should be a concern for everyone. I am hoping that attitudes will change now that the new law has been introduced."