Parents and guardians urged to double-check their child car seats as nearly two thirds found to be incorrectly fitted

4th November 2024

More than 60 per cent of child car seats were found to be incorrectly fitted at recent safety checks carried out in West Yorkshire.

Out of 763 seats inspected across 25 events this summer, only 280 were deemed safe.

The events were organised by the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Partnership in collaboration with Good Egg Safety CIC.

Seats were checked by a safety expert with issues ranging from minor such as a slightly loose base, to more serious such as incorrect belt routing, to the extreme with some children found to be forward facing too young or being completely unrestrained.

Following the findings of the events, parents and guardians are being encouraged to double check their seats. Video guides and further advice are available on the car seat check webpage.

Alison Lowe OBE, Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Nothing is more important than the safety of children so we must all ensure that they are protected when travelling on our roads.

“The fact that around two thirds of seats are fitted incorrectly is very worrying and I would now hope that everyone with children will book in some time to double check.

“West Yorkshire Vision Zero seeks to reduce all road deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2040 and the ambitious plan needs us all working together.”

Janis James MBE, Chief Executive for Good Egg Safety added: "It has been a privilege to collaborate with our valued partners across West Yorkshire to improve child safety in cars.

"Parents and carers are often shocked to discover that their irreplaceable children are travelling unsafely, and they are deeply appreciative of this free service. Through continued partnership, we aim to reduce preventable child occupant casualties."

It is the intention that more car seat check events will be held in 2025 with details to follow as they become available.