Extended family 'less likely to use appropriate child car seats'

Date: 30/11/2010

Large numbers of adults are putting children at risk by not using the correct car seats, with extended family and friends being most likely to ignore the legislation when carrying youngsters, a new study has revealed.

Research conducted by charity LV=Streetwise found one in four motorists who carry young passengers admit to not always using a child seat when one is legally required.

Moreover, 35 per cent of aunties, uncles and cousins say they do not use car restraints and 23 per cent of these do not even realise the laws exist.

It is compulsory for drivers to ensure all children under 12 and shorter than 135cm use a booster seat and without one, a youngster's risk of fatality in the event of an accident increases by 71 per cent.

TRL has produced a best practice guide for restraining children in vehicles. Click here for more information.

Posted by Sarah Bailey