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Car Seat Survey Results

Ivf

Hi,i've ha d an ivf recently,and im pregnant now but still didnt check for the heartbeat,my appointement is in 11/2,im...Read more

Feeling blue

Many thanks to everyone who gave me advise, my husbands has closed off completely since I've become pregnant again (his...Read more

Thank you to everyone who completed our questionnaire on car seats and the new regulations coming into effect on 18th September 2006.

Over 150 of you responded with some interesting results

Q1 Regulation Changes

A staggering 65% of you did not know about the law changing, let's hope the government, manufacturers and retail outlets get up to date soon!

Q2 Getting accurate information

Nearly 80% of you did not know where to get information about the changes, we have now got a summary of the law for you, and links to three reliable sources of information about car safety

Q3 Where you buy your car seats?

Most of you use a local baby shop, in 80% of you, 29% use a manufacturer's website, 30% use the internet, 22% use a car-related shop and only 12% asked a friend. Only 2% did not know where to go.

Q4 Car Seat Restraints based on height

Another high percent 71% of you did not know that the restrictions for children over 3 are related to the height of the child, not their weight.

Q5 Why the rules are changing?

Accident statistics show that children are being injured in adult seats, when not used with a booster seat, even at the age of 12, so the ruling was introduced to reduce injuries. 76% of you did not know this.

Q6 Penalties

There will be penalties for non-compliance and 83% of you did not realise this. It will become law from 18th September 2006 and the person responsible for ensuring that children are restrained correctly will be the driver of the vehicle.

Q7 ISOFix anchorage points

Nearly half of you had heard of this, 58% in fact.

Q8 Favourite car seat brand

Below is the list in order of preference

Britax No. 91 Percentage 60%
Graco No. 61 Percentage 40%
Mamas and Papas No. 50 Percentage 33%
Mothercare No. 45 Percentage 29%
Maxi Cosi No. 39 Percentage 25%
Chico No.30 Percentage 19%
Silver Cross No. 21 Percentage 13%
Bebecar No. 10 Percentage 7%
Other No 6 Percentage 6%
Recaro No 4 Percentage 2%

Q9 - Here are your comments to share with everyone else

Other make is Jane and is a lay flat system.

Great survey, it gave me something to think about and look at. I do not want to be caught breaking rules!!!!!!!

I'm shocked at just how little information I have about these new regulations, as I usually consider myself an informed person. It's worrying that there may be many other parents like me who have no idea about this.

I am aware that there are new regs coming in but have actually heard very little about it and don't when this takes effect from. I welcome the changes and hope that the police will follow this up with fines for parents who don't take the safety of their children seriously. I see too many children as young as 3 or 4 being considered to old/grown up for a booster seat.

It is about time the law was changed - most of my neighbours don't use car seats once they grow out of the baby seats. One boy of 7 laughed at my 5yr old for having a 'baby seat' when I said it would last him till age 11 he stopped laughing and went away.

I would be interested to know how the body who has changed the regulations has communicated this to families. I read the papers and keep a close eye on the news so want to know where I should have been looking! Thanks

I will check out new rules. It may be that my partner is already aware

I don't even know until what age a child should be in a car seat. I still use booster seats for my 3 & 4 year old, but my now 9 year old has not used a seat for several years.

Please advise me of the new rules, I have a 3 year daughter and I am 9 weeks pregnant.

Can you tell me where to read the new regulations?

Information on this subject is very scarce yet is is so important!

The staff in department stores should be allowed go with customers to fit the seat in the car and be specialy trained. May be have a help line that tell you what makes and models of car seat fit in which cars.

Where is it best to read up on all of this and how do I learn which seat is best to invest in for when my baby arrives?

Thank you for all your valuable comments and feedback. We have summarised the information on the site for you, but you can also visit Think! Road Safety, Car Seat Safety and RoSPA.

The Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman announced on 17th July 2006 that the Department of Transport will be running an awareness raising campaign throughout the summer to ensure that parents are aware of the changes and understand the new legislation before September.