Drivers who risk a child's life for sake of a seat belt

Published on Monday 29 September 2008 22:24

ONE in six drivers is putting children's lives at risk by breaking child car seat-belt laws, according to a survey.

A total of 16 per cent of motorists questioned said they failed to use proper restraints when carrying children.

Relatives and family friends rather than parents were found to be the worst offenders, with more than one in four admitting not using child restraints.

The survey of 2,100 drivers, for insurer LV, also showed that a similar proportion of motorists failed to check child seats were installed correctly.

In addition, more than a quarter of those failing to comply were unaware of the rules, which were tightened two years ago.

A tenth of those who were aware of the regulations said they disregarded them and did not bother to fit safety seats or boosters, which are compulsory for children under 12 or less than 4ft 5in (135cm) high.

John O'Roarke, LV's managing director of car insurance, said: "It's clear that many drivers are still confused about the law and, for one reason or another, are not following the legislation. We'd urge all drivers to make sure they're aware of the guidelines."

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) has called for penalty points to be added to driving licences for the offence, to bolster the current 30 minimum fine.

However, it said the tougher regulations on child car seats had led to a 17 per cent fall in deaths and serious injuries, from 326 in 2005 to 271 in 2007.

Kevin Clinton, Rospa's head of road safety, said: "This shows child car seats work, and when children are using the correct restraint for their size they have a better chance of surviving an accident."

A spokeswoman for Rospa said the new regulations had made a "positive difference" and the survey findings were unsurprising because no law was obeyed by everyone.

She said: "We would encourage parents and other carers to find out about the law."

However, the Association of British Drivers said tougher penalties were unjustified.

Bruce Young, its Lothian and Borders co-ordinator, said: "This is a typical knee-jerk reaction. I don't believe any parent is uncaring about their children's wellbeing. Should a driver who was giving a lift to a mother and two kids be given penalty points for an act of kindness?"

Neil Greig, Scotland director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists' Motoring Trust, said: "This survey is worrying. The law was meant to clear up child seat regulations. But the simple message that every child must be in the right seat every time they get in a car has been lost in the complexity of height/weight and age comparisons."

BACKGROUND

SINCE 2006, it has been compulsory for children aged between three and 12, or measuring up to 4ft 5in (135cm) tall, to use child car seats or booster seats.

However, they can use an adult belt on the rear seat if there are already two other children travelling in child or booster seats which prevent the fitting of a third. They can also use an adult rear belt "on a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity".

Children under three must travel in child seats, where they are available, but may travel unrestrained in taxis which have no child seat. Older children may use adult belts in such taxis.