children remain at risk in cars

Parents are jeopardising the car safety of children in their custody, by failing to use booster seats according to a new study.

Researchers have found that confusion about the unpopular booster seat law remains widespread, with a third of parents and 66% of grandparents unaware of the law and unlikely to use a booster seat.

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With one in three families relying on grandparents for childcare[i], older carers are more likely to endanger young lives and risk fines if they fail to comply with the law, which was first introduced in 2006 and requires booster seat cushions to be compulsory for the under-12s shorter than 135cm (4ft 5in).

The poll of 2000 adults by www.boostapak.com found that grandparents weren’t the only culprits, however. 47% of 18-24 year olds don’t know what seats they should use for children in their care, highlighting a concern for parents with young childminders or au pairs undertaking family car journeys on their behalf.

Research conducted by global market research company OnePoll

[i] Office for National Statistics, Social Trends, April 2009

www.boostapak.com is the online home of BoostApak, a new booster seat that doubles up as a portable rucksack. The seat is perfect for car pooling and multiple vehicle use. It is certified to regulation ECE R44.04 (for groups 2 and 3) and is suitable for children aged between 4-12 years. It is designed by Rob Law, creator of the roll-on suitcase, Trunki.

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Already under unwelcome attention from new Ofsted legislation, 56% of parents who share school run duties admitted to giving another child a lift home from school without a spare booster seat. And although 69% of parents believe booster seats are a sensible precaution, a third of them admitted to accidentally leaving them in other vehicles on a regular basis. Rob Law, a spokesperson for www.boostapak.com, cited confusion and general apathy as key factors behind the findings: “The moral goalposts have suddenly shifted a few yards; what was once an acceptable danger is now illegal. “Yet a worrying amount of adults with child caring responsibilities remain ignorant of the law, unsure of its parameters or simply defiant of it, some four years after its introduction. “By inadequately restraining children with the appropriate car booster seat, adults are exposing them to an increased risk of road traffic injury and even death.”

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“When children are growing up, they are too small to get the same protection from a seat belt as an adult, and because of this booster seats and booster cushions which help to position the belt are vital for a child’s safety.”

Duncan Vernon Road Safety Manager RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)

“The moral goalposts have suddenly shifted a few yards; what was once an acceptable danger is now illegal.

“Yet a worrying amount of adults with child caring responsibilities remain ignorant of the law, unsure of its parameters or simply defiant of it, some four years after its introduction.

“By inadequately restraining children with the appropriate car booster seat, adults are exposing them to an increased risk of road traffic injury and even death.”

Rob Law, a spokesperson for www.boostapak.com

“the findings paint a troubling picture but the options for parents looking for safe, affordable, and portable booster seats are improving.
“It really is a case of parents boosting up their knowledge, understanding the unarguable risks and accepting full responsibility for children traveling safely in cars.”

Rob Law, a spokesperson for www.boostapak.com