Experts find 65 of cavan child car seats incorrectly fitted

Seventy per cent of child car seats checked in Cavan were incorrectly fitted according to a survey by the Road Safety Authority.

The research was compiled during the authority’s ‘Check it Fits’ service, which checked child car seats and restraints nationwide for free. On the service’s most recent visit in February 2015, 190 seats were checked. Worryingly, 65% of these seats required a major adjustment, and three per cent were deemed not fit for purpose, meaning they have the potential to cause injury or even death to the child or other car occupants in the event of a collision. 

“Almost two out of five children killed are passengers and Garda reports into collisions indicate that one in 10 children were not wearing a seatbelt or using a child restraint in 2014,' explained Aisling Leonard of the RSA. 'More recent statistics have shown an increase in child passenger fatalities on the road. The reality is that if a child’s car seat isn’t fitted correctly, it could lead to a serious or fatal injury in the event of a collision.

'Having a correctly fitted car seat is a simple measure parents, grandparents and guardians can take to ensure children are safe while travelling by car. I would encourage people to visit the ‘Check it Fits’ when it comes to Cavan and give yourself the peace of mind that your children are travelling safely.” 

The RSA ‘Check it Fits’ service will be visiting locations in  Cavan on Wednesday, October 28 to Friday, October 30, where child car seat installation experts will be available to ensure car seats and restraints are correctly fitted. The service takes between 10-15 minutes, is free of charge and offers reassurance that a child is safe while travelling in the car.