News
23 July 2007
CHILDREN IN THE NORTH EAST TO 'BELT UP'
Parents and carers across the North East are being targeted by a new summer campaign to remind them to keep children belted up in the back seat of cars.
The campaign, organised by the Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association (LARSOA) for the North East, which comprises all 12 local highway authorities, focuses on the dangers of children not belting up in the back and the new law introduced last year [i] where all children under 135cms (4' 5") or age 12 - whichever they reach first - must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in a vehicle.
To make families aware of the risks, a new website - www.protectchildnortheast.co.uk - will be launched on 23 July, supported by radio adverts and posters.
The campaign will run on radio stations across the North East, including Galaxy 105-106, Metro FM, TFM, Durham FM, Magic 1152 and Magic 1170 and 1,000 posters will be distributed to GP surgeries, leisure centres, libraries and other public buildings across the region.
Paul Watson, LARSOA Chair in the North-East and Hartlepool Council's Road Safety Manager, says: "We still see too many children in the back seat of cars either kneeling up to look through the back window or leaning forward between the front two seats.
"Not only is it illegal for anyone to travel in the back seat of a car without a seatbelt but drivers are putting both children's and their own lives at risk by not making sure children are belted up and using an appropriate car seat if necessary.
"The weight of a small child increases tenfold in a crash - equivalent to a baby elephant in the back seat. This can mean potentially fatal injuries for both the child in the back not wearing a seatbelt or restraint but also the driver and front seat passenger as well.
"Unrestrained children can be killed at speeds as low as 5mph, so it is important that they are properly restrained on every trip."
According to figures from the Department of Transport, there are 29 in car child casualties every day on roads in Great Britain[ii].
Information on the new law relating to child seats and more information on how to improve in-car safety can be found on the campaign website at www.protectchildnortheast.co.uk
ENDS
Media contact:
Alan Kennedy, Road Safety Section Manager, Durham County Council and LARSOA North East PR Officer on 0191 383 3767 or 07732 666 789
Email: alan.kennedy@durham.gov.uk
Or
Denise Raven, Dynamic PR on 0113 216 7587 or 07947 14 25 14
Email: denise@dynamicadgroup.com
Notes to editors:
[i] The new law changes on the use of child car seats to include older children came into effect on 18 September 2006.
[ii] Department for Transport report 'Road Casualties Great Britain 2005' published September 2006.
