In 2005 in the United Kingdom, 24 children aged under 10 years were killed while travelling in cars and a further 226 were admitted to hospital. The numbers of injured children who were wearing baby and child restraints or seat belts were not given, but such devices are known to be effective in reducing the severity of injury. When used properly, child passenger restraints reduce injury by 90-95% for rear facing systems and 60% for forward facing systems compared with not using a restraint. On 18 September 2006 the law on carrying babies and children in cars, vans, and goods vehicles in the UK changed to correspond with the rest of the European Union. Limited use of child restraints and seat belts in cars in the UK has been required by law since 1983 in the front seat and 1989 in the rear seat. However, the UK adopted a minimalist approach — baby and child seats had to be used only if one was available in the vehicle — a fact not widely publicised for obvious safety reasons. The legislative changes reinforce what should always be good practice: that all children in cars should use appropriate child restraints and that adult seat belts are intended for adults, not children. (Author/publisher)
Abstract