Two-thirds of car seats 'unsafe'

New regulations on child car seats were introduced last month

Two out of three child car seats tested by trading standards officers in Newport were unsafe, putting children's lives at risk, research has found.

Trading standards officers made 88 checks on cars in the city during the summer and found only 22 seats were installed correctly.

Officers said they were shocked by some parents who claimed they did not have time to fit the seat correctly.

New regulations governing the use of car seats came into force last month.

NEW CAR SEAT RULES It is compulsory for children under three years to use a child restraint (child or booster seat), appropriate for their weight, in any vehicle (including vans/goods vehicles). Children over three years and under 12 years or under 1.35m (4ft 5in) in height, must use an appropriate child restraint in vehicles fitted with seat belts. Rear facing baby seats must not be used in a vehicle seat protected by a frontal airbag. Children over 1.35m or over 12 years (including adults) must wear a seatbelt if available.

Newport councillor Ray Truman said: "No parent would want to put their child at risk of serious injury but that is exactly what is happening by not having the right car seat installed.

"Most parents realise how important it is to have their children restrained, but it is just as important to be using the right one. "Even in a minor crash not having the right restraints can cause serious injury to children.

"If a child is not in the correct seat or harness, their spine will stretch on impact, and could rupture causing severe injury."

Since the new laws were introduced in Wales, England and Scotland on 18 September, drivers who do not ensure that the seats are correct could face a fixed penalty fine of £30, or a court fine of up to £500.

The UK Government claims the move could save up to 2,000 children a year from death or injury in road accidents.