In-car safety

Cars have become part of our daily life; we use them more to travel to work, to take children to school, to go shopping or for leisure.

Travelling in cars is so convenient that we often forget the dangers involved.

• By wearing seat belts, we greatly reduce the risk of injury if an accident happens whilst travelling in the car.
• Nearly half of all children killed or injured in traffic accidents are passengers in cars. Wearing correct restraints reduces the risk of injury to children by up to 65%.
• Drivers are responsible by law for making sure that any child under 14 years old travelling in the car is properly restrained.

Seat belts

Wearing a seat belt greatly reduces the chances of serious or fatal injury.

• You must - even on short journeys - wear your seat belt at all times.
• Most accidents occur in urban areas, and within a short distance of the driver's home.
• By law, the driver and all passengers in cars and taxis, whether children or adults, must wear seat belts where they are fitted.

Seat belts are not a restriction on your freedom – they are a proven way of making motoring safer.

Pregnancy and seat belts

Pregnant women must by law wear a seat belt in the car just like everyone else. (Unless they are exempted for medical reasons)

Wearing a seat belt when you are pregnant may not always be comfortable but it is important for the safety of you and your unborn baby.

There are many ways that the belt can be misused for the sake of comfort, but there is only one way of wearing it safely.

• Place the shoulder strap between the breasts.
• Make sure the lap point of the belt is positioned under the baby, across the thighs.
• Never place cushions between the baby and the belt.
• If you are driving or travelling as a passenger in a car fitted with front seat airbags, push your seat as far back as possible.
• If you are a passenger, you can sit at the back if the car is fitted with diagonal seat belt.

Child restraints

To keep young children safe, make sure that they are properly restrained every time they travel in a car. There are many types of child restraints available - choose one that:

• Is right for your child's weight, size and age.
• Displays the British standard "Kite mark" or the European regulation mark.
• Is easy to use, buckle and adjust.

New child seat laws aimed at dramatically cutting the number of children killed or injured in cars came into force from Monday 18th September 2006

In the last few years around 7,000 children under 10 years are injured and around 30 killed as car passengers on British roads. It is hoped the new laws will save up to 2000 children from death and serious injury in crashes every year

Brief guide to child seats

Child car seats are classified by groups (0-111). You will need to know which group to look for when purchasing a new seat.

Type of seat	Group	Weight of child	Approximate Age
Rear facing baby seat	0	Up to 10kg	Birth to 6-9 months
Rear facing baby seat	0+	Up to 13kg	Birth to 12-15 months
Forward facing child seat	1	9-18kg	9 months (ability to sit) to 3-4 years
Booster seat	11	15-25kg	From 3-4 years to 6 years
Booster cushion	111	22-36kg	5-6 years upwards

Age ranges are given as guidance only – the size weight of your child should tell you which seat you need.

Some booster seats and cushions can be used by younger children- check manufacturers' instruction.

Child seats should comply with the EU's stringent E.C.E 44/03 quality standard.

A brief guide to the new law which applies to cars, vans and other goods vehicles.

Driver/Passenger	Front Seat	Rear Seat	Who is responsible?
Driver	Seat belt to be worn if fitted	N/A	Driver
Child < 3 years	Correct child restraint must be worn	Correct child restraint must be used. If one is not available in a taxi the child may travel unrestrained	Driver
Child from 3rd birthday up to 135cms (4'5") in height or 12th birthday (whichever they reach first)	Correct child restraint must be worn	Correct child restraint must be used where seat belts fitted. Must use adult belts in a rear seat if correct child restraints not available in a taxi; for a short distance in an unexpected necessity; if two occupied child restraints prevent fitting a third	Driver
Child 12 or 13, or over 135cms (4ft 5in) in height	Seat belt must be worn if fitted	Seat belt must be worn if fitted	Driver
Adult passengers	Seat belt must be worn if fitted	Seat belt must be worn if fitted	Passenger

In addition, the revised regulations also say that the rear-facing baby seat MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deflated manually or automatically.

Driver found not complying with the new law could face court and a fine up to 500.

New mothers in-car safety leaflets

Road Safety Education, Training and Publicity have produced a comprehensive in – car safety leaflet for new mothers. It is full of information and safety advice for the young mum from birth to school and beyond, which forms part of our Road Safety Education policy 'Road Safety training for all, from the cradle to the grave'

All mothers attending anti -natal classes will receive their leaflet, if you have not received yours please contact Road Safety on: (01234) 228336.

Safety Tips

The car

• A well-maintained car is less likely to break down - have your car regularly maintained by a reputable garage.
• Carry useful items, such as: jump leads, tow rope, fire extinguisher, car jack, warning triangle and life hammer.
• In winter, always ensure that the car's battery is in good condition and fully charged, and that the windscreen washer reservoir is kept full. Use an additive to reduce the risk of freezing. Keep an ice scraper and de-icer spray handy in winter, and a moisture displacing spray, E.g., WD40. Damp electrics are a frequent cause of winter breakdowns do not carry de – icers in the car as they can explode in a car fire.
• Plan your route if the journey is unfamiliar and, if possible, keep to well lit main roads. Carry an up to date road atlas or use a route finder.

Personal

• Where possible, tell someone your route and what time you expect to arrive.
• Carry additional items in your car for yourself and your child, such as: essential foods, protective clothing, sensible shoes, blanket, torch, money and phone card.
• Carry a mobile phone. If you breakdown, this will help you to contact your motoring organisation or garage more easily and accelerate the arrival of help.
• Always put a pushchair in the car when children are on board even when you do not plan to use it. If you breakdown and need to walk to a phone box, it will be easier and less stressful for you and your child to use a pushchair rather than having to carry your child.
• Never leave your child unattended in a car.
• Never leave matches in you car.
• Make sure that children's fingers can't reach electric windows, sunroofs and cigar lighters.
• Check that other passengers and heavy loads are securely restrained. Nothing hard or heavy should be placed on the back shelf because in an accident it could be thrown around and injure passengers.