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New car safety
initiative targets expectant mums
A major new initiative was launched across the West of Scotland
on 23 April to tackle the growing issue of babies and young children
not properly restrained in cars.
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Recent
research from the Scottish Executive shows that the number of babies
and children under five that are not properly restrained has increased
from one in 20 in 1997 to one in eight currently.
Following extensive consultation with midwives a leaflet has been
developed and will be handed to all expectant mums attending their
10–12 week antenatal clinic. The initiative is headed up by
the West Scotland Road Safety Forum
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, Mairi Blair commented:
"Some time ago we set up a working group to look at publicity
material specially available for new parents and to identify any
gaps in provision. There was a large number of manufacturers’
leaflets available, but none looked at why it was important to ensure
the car seat fitted a particular car and that it was properly secured.
Many parents still assume that all seats fit all cars.
"We then had to consider how this new information leaflet should
be distributed and following a very successful pilot scheme undertaken
with midwives at the Vale of Leven Hospital, it has been decided
to distribute them at all antenatal clinics across the West of Scotland.
"This enables us to target parents before their children have
been born and we are confident it will prove to be an effective
method of improving in-car child safety."
The value
of the new leaflet and its innovative method of distribution has been
recognised by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign which is planning
to make it available for distribution across the whole of Scotland.
Patricia Purton, Director for the Royal College of Midwives,
added: "The Royal College of Midwives, on behalf of its members,
is delighted to be associated with the excellent work that has resulted
in the launch of this leaflet.
"We particularly value this information being given to women
at an early stage in pregnancy. Midwives in Scotland are always keen
to work with mothers in promoting the safety of their families."
In addition to tackling the issue of incorrectly restrained babies
and children, the new resource aims to help tackle the problem of
expectant mums incorrectly positioning their seatbelts and causing
potential harm to themselves and their unborn babies in the event
of a collision.
According to recent research from Loughborough University it is estimated
that as many as 87 per cent of expectant mums could be at risk.
Many people believe accidents only happen to ‘other people’
but one young mum, Mairi Dickson, explains what happened
to her when she was seven months pregnant: "It was a Sunday evening
and I was a passenger in a car driven by my friend. We were hit by
another car while joining a road and the force of the impact spun
the car completely round.
"I started to panic as we waited for the ambulance as I could
no longer feel by baby kicking, which petrified me. At the hospital
I was checked over and fortunately everything was okay. The consultant
advised me that if my seatbelt had not been worn correctly there was
every likelihood that the injury to both myself and my baby would
have been much more severe.
"I now have a beautiful and very healthy 18 month old baby and
I would urge expectant mums to ensure they wear their seatbelts correctly.
If I had not the outcome could have been very different."
For further information contact Jan Deans, Dynamic Advertising
Group, 07980 851 360.
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