- 19
- Sep
New research from car insurance firm Churchill has highlighted a shocking fact: most parents don’t know the rules about children’s car seats.
Churchill questioned 1572 parents and found that two thirds were unaware of new rulings coming into force on 18 September 2006. Under new UK laws from that date all children up to the age of 12 (or those under 1m 35cm/4′5″) must use some form of safety seat.
The research also highlighted a high degree of ignorance when it comes to replacing car seats. Up to 85% of parents surveyed did not realise that a car seat should be replaced if involved in an accident. Most of those questioned said that if the seat did not have any visible damage they would not replace it whilst others said that the expense would put them off buying a new one.
Luckily insurers are starting to wake up to the necessity of replacing potentially damaged car seats. Churchill and Sainsbury’s Bank are two such insurers who offer replacement car seats for those involved in accidents.
“We strongly advise against purchasing second hand seats as it’s impossible to know their history,” says Richard Clark, car insurance manager at Sainsbury’s Bank.
“Child car seats involved in accidents may look fine but there is a chance that they could be harbouring hidden faults, even a small collision can put a seat under strain. That is why we offer a new for old replacement after an accident on all comprehensive policies, and advise against the purchase of second hand child car seats.”
Each year around 30 children aged 11 or under are killed while travelling in cars and around 450 are seriously injured, according to statistics from www.childcarseats.org.uk. Sainsbury’s research in May 2006 found that over one million drivers admitted to driving with a child under seven with no form of car seat or booster.
“We urge motorists to abide by the new law and always ensure that if they have small children in their cars, they are in the appropriate seating. If they are small children, this will mean a child car seat,” says Clark.
Parents who fail to comply with the new laws could face a fine of up to £500.
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