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Scottish consortium launches in-car charter

A new in-car child safety initiative to drive home the importance of correctly fitted seats and proper restraints for children has been launched across Scotland.

The initiative, spearheaded by a consortium of key public/private sector organisations including the SRSC (Scottish Road Safety Campaign), ACPOS, (the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland) and local RSOs, encourages parents to take in-car safety more seriously.

The results from almost 1200 car seat checks across Scotland last year showed that around two-thirds of seats checked were either not fitted correctly, or were incompatible with the make and/or model of car they were used in.

The high number of parents who complained that they are not given sufficient guidance and advice when purchasing their new car seats may partly explain this. Almost half of all respondents to an online survey featured on the campaign website felt that they had received 'poor' advice from retailers when purchasing their seats.

To help address the problem, the campaign has set up a Good Egg Charter. The Charter commits car seat retailers to providing the right advice when a customer buys a seat from them.

"There are many outlets where you can buy car seats, but good retailers are worth their weight in gold," commented Michael McDonnell, director for the SRSC. "Once you've been to one you'll have a seat which fits your car and fits your child."

For further information visit: www.protectchild.co.uk.