Parents putting their own kids’ lives at risk

Many mums and dads are cutting corners on safety when driving with their kids, according to a new study.

The research of 2,000 parents found 34 per cent have allowed their children to travel WITHOUT a
suitable child restraint.

And around 37 per cent have driven with someone else’s child as a passenger despite not having a
suitable child seat for them.

Worryingly, it also emerged one in 10 have, or would travel a short distance, without their child or
children safely secured in the vehicle.

In-car safety

Shockingly, 16 per cent revealed their little ones have travelled while sat in the BOOT and more than
one fifth have perched them on a cushion instead of a suitable car seat.

The study also found 32 per cent have driven with their children sat on someone’s lap and 20 per cent
have ‘squeezed’ their kids into a backseat containing four or more passengers.

Commissioned by mifold, a grab-and-go portable child restraint, the study also found ‘pester
power’ is one of key the reasons why parents don’t always take in-car safety into account.

Other factors include not having access to suitable child car seat and a lack of understanding of the
rules and regulations of travelling with kids in road vehicles.

It also emerged one in four parents didn’t know it’s potentially dangerous for kids to use a standard
seat belt without a suitable child restraint – even in the back of the car.

Furthermore, more than half didn’t know kids could slide under a seatbelt in the event of a crash –
if the lap strap is too high over the abdomen.

Raising awareness

The research also found a whopping 85 per cent of parents believe the Government should do more to
raise awareness of the dos and don’ts of in-car safety

Amid this, 27 per cent fear they have inadvertently broken regulations relating to travelling with
children in vehicles and 54 per cent worry they might in the future and not know it.

Despite this, 38 per cent said they believe there may have been times when others have driven their
kids somewhere and broken car safety laws without realising it.

A spokesman for road safety charity, Brake, which has partnered with mifold, said: “Child safety is
paramount and too many children are being affected by road crashes, devastating families and ruining
lives.

“Parents need to take responsibility for keeping their children safe, whether in their own car or in
vehicles driven by other family members or childcare providers, by using appropriate restraints at
all times.”