Parents could be held responsible for thousands of child injuries

New child car seat laws coming into force next week are expected to save up to 2,000 child casualties each year.

The new law coming into force on Monday 18 September requires drivers to ensure that all children under 135cms (4' 5") or age 12 to use an appropriate car restraint when travelling in their vehicle.

RoadSafe is urging parents to ensure that they have adequate booster cushions or appropriate child seats fitted.

‘Failing to bother to check child seats properly could lead to parents being held responsible for injuring their own children’ said RoadSafe director Adrian Walsh. ‘Car companies have all the information and advice available’, he added.

RoadSafe believes that most people already use some kind of child restraint but all too often it is not the right one for the size of the child. Many just do not realise that simply encouraging them to use the adult belt when the child grows out of a baby seat is actually highly dangerous,

Parents can get child car seat safety advice from car showrooms; expert advice is also available from in store experts in Halfords, Mothercare and Toys R Us, and other stores which have been supporting the THINK! road safety campaign by providing special offers on car seats and booster seats from July.

For more information, parents can visit http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk or call our helpline for a leaflet 0800 32 72 52

The Department for Transport recommends that parents unsure whether their children must use a child restraint should consider the following:

* Check the height of your child. Children up to 135cm in height (and under 12 years old) need to use a child seat, booster seat or booster cushion suitable for their weight.

* Before you buy or use any child restraint, check the label to make sure it is suitable for the child's weight.

* Check that any restraint is securely fitted. If your child travels in more than one vehicle, check the car seat or restraint fits each car so it can be moved between them each time they travel.

* Get expert advice. Many retailers have trained in-store experts who can advise on the best kind of car seat for a child and can demonstrate how to fit it.