As part of a crackdown on dangerous car seat fittings, Avon and Somerset Police will be asking parents to take an online test thanks to an ongoing partnership with Car Seat Smarter.
Child safety charities, suppliers and retailers have all reported their concerns that despite their best efforts, many children are still being driven around dangerously thanks to badly-fitted car seats. Some estimates report that as many as one in three children are in danger.
Road safety expert Child Seat Safety has now launched a free online test where anyone can learn how to safely transport children in cars; making it a useful training tool for retailers looking to ensure knowledge is up-to-date, as well as parents and other carers.
Car Seat Smarter has been launched as an online tool in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police, who are trying to crack down on the problem. The website will be also used as an enforcement tool, and anyone found driving with children in badly fitted or insufficient car seats will be made to take the test.
“The message still isn’t being heard,” said a spokesperson, “despite the current legal requirements and the efforts of organisations such as Child Seat Safety and retailers.”
“This online course has been a dream of ours for such a long time and we know all the hard work we’ve put in will be worth it if it helps save just one child’s life,” said Julie Dagnall, director of Child Seat Safety.
“This is such an exciting project, from the initial idea through to completion,” she continued. “We have always been committed to helping as many people as possible by providing the best quality training and education on child seat safety, and that isn’t just for the manufacturers, retailers and the public sector, but parents, grandparents and carers.”
