Are they safe in the back?

– February 22, 2012Posted in: Central Warwickshire, County Wide, East Warwickshire, Headteachers, North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Primary Schools, South Warwickshire, Teachers, Teaching Assistants

I am sure you are aware that using the correct child restraint in a car dramatically improves the safety of children if the vehicle is involved in an accident but, did you know that a recent car seat check in Warwickshire revealed that around 80% of children were not correctly restrained in cars?

A worrying statistic isn’t it?

So, during March, the Road Safety Team will be working with Warwickshire Police and car seat experts to raise the profile of the importance of not only using the right car seat for the child and vehicle but ensuring it is fitted correctly too.

When visiting primary schools, Road Safety Officers often carry out spot checks and ask children about wearing seatbelts. Without exception they all know they SHOULD wear a restraint, but around 1/3 to 1/4 will admit to not wearing their seatbelt every time they get in a car.

Look out for posters and height charts that we will be sending out to all primary schools at the beginning of March. Please display them in a prominent place so that parents can access them and use to check that they are using the correct restraint. Useful `seat selecta’s’ and guidelines are also available free of charge to schools by contacting Alison Williams.

Telephone: 01926 418062

Emailing: alisonwilliamspt@warwickshire.gov.uk

For schools who run the Junior Road Safety Officer scheme, the campaign would be an ideal project for them and details of how they can do this will be in their March newsletter.

Policy guidelines for schools transporting children and young people safely using staff volunteer vehicles are currently under review, so please take time to look through and update your school copy once it has been published. For further details contact Sally Brandrick

Telephone: 01926 742575

Also throughout March the Road Safety Team will be sending out regular press releases to highlight the campaign and to encourage parents, grandparents, friends and volunteer drivers to always ensure that children are safe and secure whenever they travel by car.

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