Drive to reduce child road deaths

The new in-car safety project aims to warn parents of the dangers of ill-fitted and inappropriate car seats.

Car clinics set up across the country will allow parents and carers to go along and have the safety of their child seats checked.

Last year, 948 children died or were badly injured in car accidents north of the border.

The scheme was officially launched in Glasgow by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign (SRSC) and the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS).

Police forces and local authorities hope the four-week campaign will ensure the safety message is being driven home.

Fiona Murray, director of SRSC, said that during a previous child safety campaign, 47% of parents questioned said they were "not confident" about fitting their children's seats.

"Parents should insist on trying out the seat in the car before buying, as not all seats fit all cars," she said.

Police will be enforcing the law in relation to driving without passengers being properly restrained.

Officers say many people are unaware that penalties for carrying passengers in what is deemed to be a dangerous manner can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and licence penalty points.

Ricky Gray, secretary to the ACPOS road policing standing committee, said police aimed to cut road deaths by half.

He said: "By ensuring that our children are given every opportunity to travel safely in vehicles by being properly restrained in their seats can only increase the chances of survival and reduce the extent of injuries should they be involved in a crash."

Meanwhile, an initiative designed to reduce home accident injuries involving young children was also due to be unveiled on Monday.