Public Servant Lifestyle

Parents may be well-meaning about child safety in the car, but the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) knows that a noisy and bursting-at-the-seams vehicle can become a real safety hazard.

You've overslept. You've hared around the kitchen scraping burnt toast and organising packed lunches. Now they're in the car. Yelling. Fights break out. Is your concentration broken? At least you can strap them in their seats. Are you sure the new ones you've just installed are doing the job properly? Surely they look a little loose?

Driving alertly and defensively demands great concentration and good sense from the person behind the wheel: if inadequate attention is paid to safety passengers may be at risk if an accident happens.

Car Seating

Vitally important to children and travel is car seating. Some years ago, a mother made unfortunate headlines when she was detained by police because her four-year-old son wasn't wearing his seat belt: by law it is the driver's responsibility to ensure all children under the age of 14 comply with seatbelt laws.

The incident highlights the need for parents to be vigilant when carrying young passengers. Small children get restless while travelling: it only takes a minute to ensure they are properly secure.

So what can a parent do to protect children when travelling in a car?

Here are a few tips:

Always buy the right car seat for your child's weight and size and check for the British Standard Kitemark or the European standard approval

Replace the seat as the child grows

Read the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully - ideally, try before you buy

Check the seat is firm at all times, and use it correctly on every journey

Check the harness is firm - you should be able to get only a couple of fingers between the straps and the child's chest

Don't use a second-hand seat. Also check it hasn't been in an accident or is showing wear

If using a hired vehicle, the same advice applies: double-check the fitting

If your front passenger seat is fitted with an airbag:

You must never put a baby seat in this location - unless you deactivate the airbag. Some cars allow you to do this

Older children may be safer in the back wearing a suitable restraint

Seatbelts should also be worn by pregnant women: ensure that the lap belt goes under the bump across both hip bones, with the diagonal strip stretching across the chest as normal

Parents can reduce risk of injury in an accident. If you want to talk to someone about your concerns, road safety officers will be able to advise on the sorts of seating available and their correct use - just contact your local council for details.

Trying

Journeys with children can be trying at the best of times, even short ones. But there are several tips and tricks to keep things safe.

More Tips:

Fit child locks to the doors to ensure little fingers don't wander

When loading the car - e.g. for a holiday - leave your children room to manoeuvre and keep a selection of their favourite toys, books, games to hand

It is also important that nothing is stored loosely on the back shelf of the car - if the car brakes suddenly items can act like 'bullets' on vulnerable passengers

If you're not driving, keep your child company in the back seat

Sunshades on rear windows are an excellent protector against sun and nausea

Children need breaks on long journeys for leg-stretching and potty time - build these into your schedule

More information available in On The Road, Vehicle Hire