Car booster seats 'don't provide enough protection' for children

Many children are not getting the protection they need from car booster seats, according to a new study. By using backless booster cushions rather than full-sized car seats, children will be afforded less protection in the event of side-on crashes.

Which? magazine surveyed more than 1,000 parents of children aged between four and 12, and found that 30 per cent opted for backless booster cushions. Although these cushions meet legal requirements, the Telegraph reports that manufacturers are already being called on to phase the products out before legal standards are revised by the EU.

Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of the consumer magazine, explained: "While they're better than using no car seat at all, [backless booster seats] simply don't provide enough protection.

"Nobody who has seen the footage of a side-impact collision on our website would choose to use a backless booster seat."

The poll also found that 17 per cent of children between four and 12 years old were not using any form of child car seat, which could put them at greater risk in the event of a road accident. This follows recent spot checks carried out across the UK, which found that most parents fail to fit child car seats properly.

"Every year in the UK, around 30 children under 12 years old are killed while travelling in cars, and a further 300 are seriously injured," Mr Vicary-Smith said.

"Kids might pile the pressure on parents not to have to sit in a full-sized car seat when they get a bit older, but it could mean the difference between life and death."

Parents who are concerned about their children's safety are encouraged to choose car seats that offer sufficient protection for younger passengers, as well as comparing car insurance to make sure their vehicle is covered in the event of accidents.

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:01:00 GMT