50% more families will drive to UK holiday destinations this summer, but two thirds of car seats won’t be securely fitted
Sir Alex Ferguson CBE is backing an AA campaign supported by Britax and Mothercare this summer, urging parents to get their child car seats checked and to ensure that their children are properly belted up. This is all the more important as new AA research shows that the economic downturn means that 50% more people will holiday in the UK this summer1. With two thirds of child seats in the UK not fitted securely2, the summer holiday could be an accident waiting to happen.
Sir Alex is lending his support to the campaign which launches during Child Safety Week (22-26 June), to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of having the right car seat securely fitted, and the right seat for a child’s age and height. This follows his grandson’s recent experience in a road accident – 10 year old Charlie had to undergo surgery back in May, when he was injured due to not being properly protected during a car collision.
The latest research from the AA’s Road Safety team suggests that August is the worst month for death and serious injuries to children in vehicles. This is why the AA has teamed up with Britax, a leading car seat manufacturer, and Mothercare to launch a nationwide roadshow offering parents expert advice and hands on guidance on how to choose and fit the right car seat.
The roadshow launches on Monday 22 June, in time for people to make sure they know how to choose and fit their children’s car seats properly, before they hit the roads during the summer holidays.
The need for the roadshow has also been highlighted by recent research that over 20 children under 11 are killed and over 600 seriously injured a year while travelling in cars3.
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Sir Alex Ferguson CBE said, “I urge all parents and children to pay attention to using and fixing their seat belts properly, over the shoulder as it should be. This can save your Life.”
Edmund King, AA president said: “Sir Alex is absolutely right that it is imperative for all children to be properly belted up in the back. The AA Populus poll of 16,500 respondents showed that 83% are not aware of legislation requiring children to use the appropriate restraint or child seat. Modern seat belts are not uncomfortable so parents or drivers need to ensure that children are appropriately belted up. It can be a matter of life or death.”
Mark Bennett from Britax said: “With so many families hitting the UK roads for their summer holidays this year, the correct fitting of children’s car seats is of paramount importance. We find it extremely alarming how many people are unaware that their car seats are fitted incorrectly, and are delighted to be working with Mothercare and the AA to help parents, and educate them on the solutions available before they embark on their road trips this summer.”
Liz day, parenting consultant at Mothercare said: “At Mothercare, the safety of children is our number one priority. As one of the UK’s leading retailers of car seats we strongly advise all parents to ensure their car seats are suitable for their child and fitted correctly and offer demonstrations and advice in our stores. This roadshow event brings together the specialist expertise of Mothercare, Britax and the AA to promote the safety of children in cars.”
The roadshow will take place outside Mothercare stores in 11 UK locations, where Britax and AA patrols will be offering demonstrations of car seats using the ISOFIX safety system and showing just how easy and safe the ISOFIX system is.
The ISOFIX system eliminates misfitting problems, which are common with the use of adult belts, and improves the dynamic performance of child restraints, as the seat is rigidly attached to the car structure. The vast majority of new car models since 2006 (and several previous models) have ISOFIX installed as standard.
