More than eight out of ten child seats are improperly fitted, study finds
Children’s safety could be at risk as investigators find most car seats are either inappropriate for the occupant or fitted incorrectly
As many as 85 per cent of child seats could be being used incorrectly, a study has found.
A roadside investigation by Leicestershire Police, independent car seat specialists Child Seat Safety and consumer magazine What Car? found that just 15 per cent of child seats checked were fitted correctly and were appropriate for the child being carried.
Investigators stopped 51 cars with child seats fitted and found just 36 per cent were correctly installed. About three quarters of those that were incorrectly fitted could be rectified on site, but officials removed two of the seats and refused to allow the owners to continue travelling until they were replaced.
Car seats attached using ISOFIX attachments were all fitted correctly – the issues all came from parents using seatbelts to hold the seats in place.
The most common problem, which was an issue in nearly a quarter of incorrectly fitted seats, was with the seatbelt or harness being too loose, twisted or positioned incorrectly.
Sixteen per cent needed the seatbelt to be rerouted, while a further 11 per cent needed a headrest adjustment.
Steve Huntingford, What Car? editor, noted that not only are parents risking a £100 fixed penalty notice if they are caught carrying a child in an incorrectly fitted child seat, they are “significantly” increasing the chances of the occupant being seriously injured or even killed.
Huntingford added: “It’s clear that the overwhelming majority of drivers are aware of their responsibilities when carrying a child in the car. But, unless the child car seats have ISOFIX attachments, there is confusion over how to correctly fit them and ensure your child’s safety.
“We would urge anyone who transports children in car seats to seek professional advice about fitting them and buy their seats from specialists who offer free support not only at the time of purchase, but for the lifespan of the product.”
Julie Dagnall, co-director at Child Seat Safety, said: “If you buy from a retailer with expert fitting knowledge, you’re paying for a service rather than just a seat.”
