The aim of this project was to examine the role of instructions in the fitting of a selection of child restraints and involved a review of : · the range of different makes and types of child restraints available in the UK · the manufacturer’s instructions for fitting and using the selected restraints · the ease with which volunteers were able to understand the instructions and fit the child restraints. Child restraints are generally used by children up to the age of 11 years, beyond which adult seat belts are normally used. During 1999, 38 children between the ages of 0 and 11 were killed, 577 seriously injured and just under 7,000 slightly injured as car passengers. The proper use of child car restraints would have prevented many of these casualties. However, to be effective, child restraints must be fitted and used correctly. Surveys conducted by various organisations over many years have consistently shown that a high proportion of child restraints are incorrectly fitted: · A recent survey of over 1,000 child car seats found that 37% were incorrectly fitted or incompatible with the car they were in, 38% needed minor adjustments and 25% were fitted correctly. · A 1995 survey found that two-thirds of child seats were unsafe. · A 1995 report in 1995 showed that over 70% of child restraints were badly fitted and could put children in danger. · A magazine survey revealed that 80% of child car seats were incorrectly fitted. · In a 2001 survey conducted for Mother & Baby magazine only 6% of parents surveyed said they were offered proper fitting advice from the shop where they bought the seat. · A newspaper article stated that 90% of parents had trouble fitting a child car seat. · A 1991 report found that 11 out of 12 car seats were fitted so badly that they could cause serious injuries to a child. The problem of poorly fitted child restraints is recognised in the Government’s Road Safety Strategy which states that many people “find the fitting instruction puzzling”. In February 2001, the DETR launched the first government campaign to promote the importance of fitting child car seats properly. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting