Safety first: New voluntary code of practice for child car seat retailers

Rearward-facing seats are up to five times safer

The RSA  has launched a new voluntary code of practice for child car seat retailers to increase awareness of car seat safety and reduce misuse rates. At the launch were Senan Hickey, with mum Martina (right) and Ron Richardson, Check It Fits Roadshow Manager, Road Safety Authority (left).

Over half of child car seats checked by the Road Safety Authority’s Check it Fits service were incorrectly fitted and needed some type of adjustment to make them a safe fit. The RSA is warning parents if a child’s car seat isn’t fitted correctly it could lead to serious or fatal injury in the event of collision.

The 2019 research also found almost one-third of seats fitted incorrectly needed major adjustments. RSA senior road safety promotion officer Aisling Sloyan says examples of incorrect fitting needing major adjustment include the seat being excessively loose. “This means it would be almost ineffective in the event of a crash.”