News
Hazards caused by children in the car
19 Feb 2009
Car accidents are the most common cause of death for children. Each year, an average of 1,800 children under the age of 14, are killed in car accidents, and almost 274,000 more are injured. These deaths and numerous severe injuries are usually caused by problems with seatbelts. Although it is important that all passengers in the vehicle wear a seatbelt, it is particularly important that children, under the age of three, are given priority. This is because the weight of their head, at this age, is disproportionate to their bodies. At 30mph it takes less than a fifth of a second for an unrestrained child to hit the windshield, and possibly go through it, in an accident.
However there are several ways to minimize the threat of injury to your child:
- The best protection you can provide a child is to purchase a car-seat, which is specifically designed for their age group (however, babies must not be placed in a car-seat for more than 30 consecutive minutes). All car seats must be fastened by the car's existing three-point seatbelt.
- It is important to get a child-seat that correctly fits the child. Nothing must be placed under the child, or the seatbelt will not perform correctly in an emergency. However, if your child sits loosely in the seat, it is acceptable to pad out the sides of the seat, with either specially designed cushions or rolled up towels.
- Children must not be placed by any airbags. If your car has passenger-side airbags and they cannot be switched off, then the car-seat must be strapped into the backseat.
- Children must never be left unattended in a car-seat.
- It is safe for children, over 150cm tall, to use the cars normal seatbelts without any additional protection.
- A parent or adult must fasten any child's seatbelt for them.
- If the seatbelt becomes unfastened during the journey, then the car must pull over - at the safest opportunity - and the seatbelts must be refastened by an adult.
It is estimated that between 75% and 87% of car-seats, in the UK, are not fitted correctly. A recent study carried out in Dumfries and Stranraer, showed that 21% of the 66 cars tested required major adjustments to their car-seats, and 12% of the seats were entirely incompatible with the car. It is always worth getting the seat checked and installed professionally, just in case something does happen.
For children who do not require a car-seat there is still another concern to consider; are they safer in the front or in the back? Statistics show that on average, 30% of 10 year olds and 55% of 13 year olds are sat in the passenger front seat. But is this really safe, considering that those that sit in the front are 40 % more likely to be seriously injured in a crash?
Although they may be the main contributor, seatbelts are not the only hazard children face in cars. However there are ways to ensure the safety of all passengers in the vehicle:
- Keep a calm atmosphere within the car; if there are children screaming or loud music, then the driver may become distracted, putting everyone in danger.
- Avoid placing heavy or large objects in the car, as they may be hurled towards a passenger during an accident.