30/09/2005

New research reveals that 85 per cent* of parents did not bother to replace the baby or child seat following a car crash. This is in spite of warnings from safety experts that they should be replaced after an accident otherwise they may not protect a child in a future crash.

The research from Churchill Car Insurance shows drivers are not responding to this safety advice despite the fact that around 30 children up to the age of 11 are killed while travelling in cars and around 450 are seriously injured each year. Many of these could be avoided with the proper use of child restraints**.

Lack of awareness is the main issue, as a quarter of UK drivers (27 per cent) don’t realise that they should replace a baby or child seat after an accident. Over half (58 per cent) of those who had crashed said they didn’t replace their baby/child seat as they couldn’t spot any damage.  

Even if there is no visible damage, the force of a car accident can weaken a child seat to such an extent that it will not provide the same level of protection in another accident. In order to improve customer safety, Churchill will now replace any child seats in the car - regardless of obvious damage - if a customer’s car is involved in an accident and the baby or child was in it, or if it is stolen or damaged by fire. 

Darren McCauley, Head of Car Insurance at Churchill said: “This is a serious issue, as our research highlights a lack of awareness around baby seat guidelines. Our new benefit will help parents with replacement costs of child car seats after an accident. Even if there is no sign of visible damage, a baby or child seat should still be replaced to make sure that it still fits properly and provides the best protection for the infant or child.”

Cost is also a factor, as 6 per cent of those who crashed say that child seats are too expensive to replace after a car accident, even though the average seat cost them just £60. A further 6 per cent thought fixing the car was a greater priority and 4 per cent simply ‘haven’t got round to it yet.’

Two thirds of drivers questioned think that children no longer need their child seat after the age of seven when in fact, current guidelines*** recommend that children aged under 11 should use a child seat, as seat belts alone are designed for people 150cm (5ft) and taller. The DfT has proposed new legislation to require all children travelling in cars to use child restraints.

Darren McCauley continued: “We welcome any changes that will make travelling in cars safer for children. A quarter of parents say that they are not confident enough to fit a child seat correctly, so parents should seek the advice of a trained professional**** to give them peace of mind when driving.”

*Based on research carried on behalf of Churchill Insurance among 1,572 parents in August/September 2005.

**Figures from www.childcarseats.org.uk

***As stated on www.childcarseats.org.uk

****parents can search on www.childcarseats.org. for local car seat check points in their area

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