Child 'killed each month in road crashes'

SIX out of ten parents are failing to restrain their children before taking to the road despite the fact that a child dies every month in a car crash, a report published yesterday warned.

The frightening statistic was highlighted by the National Safety Council at the launch of its car safety booklet for children.

The NSC warned many parents who use car seats are not fitting them properly or using any kind of restraint, even though to do so could cut crash injuries by 90%.

"When a seat isn't fitted correctly, it will not do its job properly and could fail to protect a child in a crash. The golden rule for parents is to ensure that children always travel in an approved child restraint that is suitable for their size and weight, and which is securely fitted in the car," said NSC Chairman, Eddie Shaw.

"In a crash at just 30 mph, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their body weight. The child would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and other people inside the vehicle."

Drogheda Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Alf Nicholson said education is the key to reducing fatalities and injuries.

"One strategy that has proven to be effective in the Louth/Meath region is the promotion of car seat use at antenatal classes. This has led to increased child restraint use and halved the number of car passenger hospitalisations and head injuries," he said.

British research has already shown that two thirds of car seats are incorrectly fitted and nearly a half of these are so badly harnessed that they could cause injury to a child.

The Irish car crash rate per head of population, 3.44 crashes per 100,000, is twice that of Britain.

The booklet Child Safety in Cars, A Guide to Selecting and Fitting Child Restraints was produced after research in this country found that from 1996 to 2000, almost four out of five child fatalities were unrestrained children in cars.

Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen told the launch this is "the most authoritative information resource on the proper selection and fitting of appropriate child restraints."

He also reminded drivers that they have a legal responsibility to ensure passengers aged under 17 use a seat belt or, if aged under four, use an appropriate child restraint.

The booklet, for parents, guardians, health professionals and retailers, was produced in association with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Britain and is available free of charge to the public.

It can be found at GP surgeries, pre-schools, crèches, Montessori schools, libraries, garda stations and hospitals.

A copy can also be obtained by calling the National Safety Council on lo-call 1-890-200-844 or it can be downloaded from www.nsc.ie